Committee recommends West Seattle Link alignment, authorizes transitway agreement amendment

On July 1, 2025, the Seattle City Council Transportation Committee voted 5-0 to recommend adoption of Resolution 32172 approving alignment and station locations for the West Seattle Link Extension and to recommend passage of Council Bill 1210003, which authorizes the Seattle Department of Transportation to execute an amendment to the transitway agreement with Sound Transit. The committee will send both recommendations to the full City Council for the July 8, 2025 meeting.

The legislation is intended to reflect the approved West Seattle alignment in the city’s transitway agreement and, according to council central staff, is a necessary step to allow Sound Transit to begin applying for permits and continue project preparation. "This council bill and companion resolution are an important step to building out light rail infrastructure to West Seattle and beyond," said Chair Rob Sacca.

The committee heard brief presentations from Calvin Chao of council central staff and Sarah Mexana from the Office of the Waterfront, Civic Projects, and Sound Transit. Chao described the transitway amendment as an administrative interlocal agreement that "establishes the rights and responsibilities of the two parties" and said the ordinance is limited to acknowledging the West Seattle alignment in the agreement.

Councilmembers voiced support while emphasizing oversight and community mitigation. Councilmember Kettle thanked staff and Sound Transit teams for their work. Councilmember Strauss described the item as "a straightforward routine bill that is directly aligned with the record of decision that was approved by the federal government for Sound Transit." Chair Sacca said he supported the project but stressed the need for active engagement with impacted residents and businesses and for mitigation "to the full extent possible under the law," noting recent state legislation (HB 1733) that raises the statutory cap for relocation assistance.

Public commenters during the hybrid public comment period addressed elements of the transit project and SDOT work more broadly. Dan French urged the committee to "object objecting to anything moving forward with SDOT," saying SDOT had shown "they are incompetent and grossly negligent" and raising specific safety concerns about a project at 130th Street and ramps off I-5 that he said will force motorists to change lanes multiple times in a short distance and reroute traffic in front of schools and churches. David Haines criticized ST3 planning and costs and said, "Counsel should reject ST3," arguing the project duplicates existing services and raising concerns about how business relocation funds would be used.

The committee moved and seconded the recommendation to adopt Resolution 32172; the clerk called the roll and recorded five votes in favor (Councilmember Kettle, Councilmember Rink, Councilmember Strauss, Vice Chair Hollingsworth and Chair Sacca) and zero opposed. The committee then moved and seconded passage of Council Bill 1210003; the clerk recorded the same 5-0 vote in favor. Both recommendations will be transmitted to the July 8, 2025 City Council meeting for final consideration.

Background and next steps: Council and staff described this legislation as an administrative and planning step to align city approvals and the transitway agreement with the federally approved project record of decision. Staff said the alignment approval will allow Sound Transit to pursue permits; council members said they will expect ongoing outreach and use of available tools for relocation assistance where state law allows.

Less-critical details: Speakers included representatives from council central staff and the Office of the Waterfront, Civic Projects, and Sound Transit; two members of the public spoke during public comment. The committee meeting record shows the motions carried 5-0 and will be forwarded to the full council agenda on July 8, 2025.