Sound Transit Released West Seattle Virtual Tour

The agency showcased design updates that include over $2 billion in cost savings for the light rail project.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Remote Work

Isometric editorial illustration of a modern underground light rail tunnel with clean concrete segments, depicting transit infrastructure planning. — Sound Transit released updated design plans for the West Seattle Link Extension, identifying over $2 billion in cost savings. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support the expansion of light rail services in your local transit network?

Sound Transit has launched a virtual tour of the West Seattle Link Extension, featuring design refinements that include removing the proposed Avalon Station. This change moves more of the 3.9-mile transit route underground to mitigate community impacts.

Why it matters

The design updates aim to streamline the regional transit expansion while cutting project costs by more than $2 billion. These adjustments are central to Sound Transit's ongoing effort to finalize plans for a 2035 opening.

The West Seattle Link Extension spans 3.9 miles and includes three stations at SODO, Delridge, and Alaska Junction. The project reached a 30% design milestone in July 2026.

The players

Sound Transit

This is the regional transit agency responsible for planning and building high-capacity transit systems in the Seattle area.

Federal Transit Administration

This federal agency provides financial and technical assistance to local public transportation systems.

The details

The virtual tour utilizes 3D modeling based on site-specific geotechnical fieldwork to illustrate the route. By removing Avalon Station, the agency identified significant cost savings and reduced the physical footprint of the project in the area.

Voters approved the regional transit system expansion in November 2016.
The project reached the 30% design milestone in July 2026.
Sound Transit released the virtual tour video in October 2026.
The West Seattle Link Extension is expected to open in 2035.

Market Landscape

The project follows the structural development mandate established by the 2016 regional transit system expansion approval. These design changes position the agency to optimize infrastructure delivery amidst rising regional construction costs.

Commuters can expect the travel time from Alaska Junction to Westlake to drop from 30 minutes to 16 minutes once the line opens. The removal of Avalon Station alters the planned stop locations for residents currently anticipating local transit access.

The takeaway

The virtual tour provides a transparent look at how engineering models are shaping the future of local transportation. Residents are encouraged to review these visual updates to understand how the final route will integrate with the existing community layout.