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Seattle Mayor Signs Legislation to Streamline Sound Transit Permitting
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell joined King County Executive Shannon Braddock and regional transit leaders to sign legislation that aims to streamline the permitting process for Sound Transit’s West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions.
The legislation, passed unanimously by the Seattle City Council, is designed to cut the permitting timeline in half—from 240 days to 120 days. The initiatives include simplifying land use codes, improving accessibility, enhancing vegetation management, and sequencing construction efforts to reduce community disruption.
“This is the largest transit expansion in the nation. We won’t let red tape delay progress,” said Mayor Harrell. The legislative reforms align with a February 2025 executive order and reflect a strengthened partnership between the City of Seattle and Sound Transit.
To support the smooth delivery of the transit projects, the City of Seattle has also increased staffing and developed a comprehensive four-year work plan. The Ballard Link Extension will cover 7.7 miles and feature nine new stations, while the West Seattle Link Extension will add four stations over 4.1 miles. Completion is targeted for 2039 and 2032, respectively.
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