
Evaluates whether the project would disproportionately impact communities of color and low-income communities. Describes the demographics of the project corridor. During the environmental review process, Sound Transit conducted an environmental justice analysis, which is included in the Draft EIS. Sound Transit is committed to centering communities along the project corridor and engaging communities of color and low-income and other vulnerable populations throughout the public involvement process. The Draft EIS Agency and Public Comment Summary Report provides an overview of comment themes along with appendices of all comments received. Following the publication of the Final EIS, the Board will select the project to be built. In the Final EIS, expected to be published in late 2023, Sound Transit will respond to comments received during the Draft EIS comment period. Read more about the Sound Transit Board’s action in our press release and the Board Motion. The Draft EIS evaluated potential impacts and benefits of the alternatives on the natural and built environment and transportation system, and identified potential mitigation measures.Īfter reviewing the Draft EIS and the comments from Tribes, the public and agency partners, the Sound Transit Board identified the preferred alternative for the West Seattle Link Extension and requested further study for the Ballard Link Extension.
28, 2022 followed by a 90-day public comment period. The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions will provide fast, reliable light rail connections to dense residential and job centers throughout the region.īack in 2019, the Sound Transit Board identified preferred alternatives and other alternatives to study in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which was published on Jan. Includes 9 new stations from Chinatown-International District to Market Street.Adds 7.1 miles of light rail service from downtown Seattle to Ballard, including a new downtown Seattle rail-only tunnel.
Includes 4 new stations from SODO to Alaska Junction.Adds 4.7 miles of light rail service from downtown Seattle to West Seattle's Alaska Junction neighborhood.These two separate Link extensions are part of the regional transit system expansion approved by voters in November 2016.
In addition, a new downtown Seattle light rail tunnel will provide capacity for the entire regional system to operate efficiently. The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions will provide fast, reliable light rail connections to dense residential and job centers throughout the region.