Light Rail Expansion (WSBLE)
Overview
In 2016, citizens of King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties approved an expansion of the regions existing light rail system (Sound Transit 3). Sound Transit 3 includes up to 12 miles of new light rail lines within Seattle that will allow up to 14 new stations. The project is divided into two segments - the West Seattle Light Rail Extension (WSLE) and the Ballard Link Extensions (BLE). WSLE is projected to open in 2032, while BLE is projected to open in 2039.
SDC Documents
The Seattle Design Commission has provided the following recommendations to Sound Transit concerning WSBLE & Station infill projects:
- WSBLE - Memo to City Council on Preferred Alternatives (June 2022)
- WSBLE - Letter to Sound Transit - Early Design Advice (May 2022)
- WSBLE - Chinatown/International District Station Area Planning (December 2019)
- WSBLE - Letter to ELG on CID and Delridge Stations (April 2019)
- WSBLE - Level 2 preliminary recommendations (September 2018)
- WSBLE - Urban design implications (March 2018)
The SDC will continue to provide input as the project develops.
Sound Transit Quarterly Updates
The City and Sound Transit have provided the following quarterly updates to the Commission on their joint and coordinated activities.
- Presentation ST3 City Team (June 4, 2026)
- Presentation ST3 City Team (January 15, 2026)
- Presentation Sound Transit WSLE BLE SDC Quarterly Update (September 18, 2025)
- Presentation - WSLE and BLE Update (June 5, 2025)
- Presentation Quarterly Update by City Team (March 6, 2025)
- Presentation - ST3 WSLE Briefing(April 18, 2024)
- Presentation Quarterly Update by City Team on Interdepartment and Interagency Work (February 1, 2024)
- Presentation - Quarterly Update by City Team on Interdepartment and Interagency Work (November 2, 2023)
- Presentation - Quarterly Update by City Team on Interdepartment and Interagency Work (July 20, 2023)
Sound Transit Briefings – WSBLE System Overviews
Sound transit has provided the following presentations and briefings for the WSBLE projects:
- Presentation on WSBLE Project Update - Presentation(December 7, 2023)
- Presentation on WSBLE Project Update - Presentation(July 6, 2023)
- Presentation on WSBLE Project Update - Recording (July 6, 2023)
- Presentation on WSBLE Studies, Findings, and Community Feedback (March 2023)
- Presentation on the WSBLE Project Update (October 20, 2022)
- Presentation on the Cost-Savings and Refinements Concepts (April 21, 2022)
- Presentation on the West Seattle Stations and Guideway Structures (April 7, 2022)
- Presentation on the Interbay-Ballard Stations and Guideways (March 17, 2022)
- Presentation on the International District/Chinatown Station (March 3, 2022)
- Presentation on the Westlake and Seattle Center Station Alternatives (February 17, 2022)
- Presentation on Racial Equity Toolkit (December 16, 2021)
- Presentation on Sustainability (December 16, 2021)
- Presentation on Co-Planning with City of Seattle (May 6, 2021)
- Presentation on Sound Transit Art Program (March 4, 2021)
- Presentation on Architecture Standards (January 16, 2020)
WSLE - Preliminary Engineering Review
November 21, 2024
Projects Reviewed: Delridge Station, Longfellow Creek impacts, Guideways
November 7, 2024
Project Reviewed: SODO Station
July 18th, 2024
Projects Reviewed: SODO Guideways, Duwamish Crossing, Pigeon Point
May 16, 2024
Project Reviewed: Alaska Junction and Avalon Stations