December 2024
Since voters approved an expansion of light rail in 2016, the City of Seattle (the City) has been preparing for construction of these significant projects.
The City is responsible for:
- reviewing and approving permits
- ensuring compliance with city codes and land-use requirements
- managing street use in Seattle
- leading the design and construction of street improvements to make it safer to travel to and from the light rail stations in Seattle
- developing transit-oriented design around the station areas
The City of Seattle plans to update bike parking code requirements for future light rail stations. This work is being done through a partnership with Sound Transit to streamline the permit review process and define clear requirements for future light rail design. Read more about bike parking code amendments.
The City has worked with Sound Transit and community members to re-envision the streets around the future light rail stations in West Seattle. The vision and designs for these streets will guide future development and implementation through the West Seattle Light Rail Area Street Concept Plan. This plan is being developed with input from community members gathered from a survey and from meetings with stakeholders. In March and June 2024, we showed conceptual street designs and heard feedback that refined our proposed design at each station area.
A similar process will be undertaken for the Ballard Link Extension.
The City is a cooperating agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and an Agency of Jurisdiction under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). The City reviews Sound Transit’s Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the West Seattle and Ballard Light Rail Extension projects to ensure that Sound Transit’s environmental review adequately evaluates project impacts, proposes appropriate mitigation measures, and complies with the City’s legal requirements.
Dozens of different types of permits will need to be reviewed and approved by City staff, covering everything from water and sewer utilities to electrical work to street use during and after construction. The City is working with Sound Transit to streamline the permitting process so that we will have the time and people to ensure all work meets city codes and requirements. Over the next decade, permitting will be sequenced to provide a steady stream of work while avoiding backlogs in the process.
We have an opportunity to improve how we protect and replace trees during light rail construction. Read more about Tree and Vegetation Management Plans.
Current Project Connections
SDOT has been working for several years to provide better connections to light rail stations. These current SDOT projects help to do that while improving safety for everyone.