June 2026
About this Project
Sound Transit plans to build 4.1 miles of light rail service from SODO to West Seattle. Our role is to streamline permitting – while ensuring designs meet City standards – and to make equitable and community-informed changes to the land surrounding new stations so people can easily get to light rail.
Station Context Area Planning
The City is partnering with Sound Transit on the station context area, which is the area within one to two blocks from the station. Station Context planning includes design choices for the station itself, the open space around the station, bus stops, and more. This involves community outreach and workshops.
Station Area Planning
The City is also working with communities to plan the broader station area, which usually includes areas about a half-mile from the station. The station area planning is going on now. We are working with communities to:
- Plan walking, biking, and bus improvements to help you get to stations.
- Identify opportunities for housing, shopping, and open spaces to create affordable, livable neighborhoods around new stations.
- Establish priorities to inform project permitting.
Street Concept Plans
Street concept plans are a part of station area planning and show how a street could look in the future with specific improvements. These plans help guide future changes made by developers, property owners, City departments, or public agencies so that they work well and are comfortable for people using our streets. Street concept plans include ideas like lots of plants, distinct paving options, relocated curbs, and features like benches or unique lighting. To learn more about how SDOT uses Street Concept Plans, visit the Street Illustrated Guide.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Department of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) are jointly creating a street concept plan for the streets around the future light rail stations in West Seattle, with input from Sound Transit and community members. This street concept plan is intended to provide a vision and guidance for future improvements. The concepts included in the street concept plan will be used to develop designs for future projects.
Learn more about the West Seattle Light Rail Station Area Street Concept Plan.
Environmental Review
One other way that the City supports light rail expansion is through environmental review. Sound Transit published a Draft EIS for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions in January 2022. The City submitted comments on the Draft EIS. Since the January 2022 Draft EIS, the two independent lines have been moving forward on different timelines, as have their environmental reviews.
- Read the City's comment letter about the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Draft EIS (2022)
- Read the West Seattle Ballard Link Extension Draft EIS (January 2022)
- Read the comments on the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Draft EIS
Sound Transit published a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the West Seattle Link Extension in September 2024. The Sound Transit Board made a decision on routes and stations on October 24, 2024. Then, on May 28, 2026, the Board voted to cut the Avalon Station and change the light rail route to both save money and reduce impacts on homes and businesses.
West Seattle Link Extension
Please refer to Sound Transit's website for details on project delivery dates.
Map graphic: Sound Transit