Sound Transit approves West Seattle property acquisitions and fare gate designs

The Sound Transit Board has approved several major initiatives for the light rail network. The board gave final approval to a plan to acquire more than 50 properties to facilitate the West Seattle light rail expansion. This includes the acquisition of a long-vacant property at 3804 23rd SW. To fund these acquisitions, the board approved a $765 million budget amendment, which officials described as reallocating existing funds rather than adding new capital to the project.

Additionally, the board voted to design and plan the installation of fare gates at 14 Link light rail stations. The proposed pilot program would target the busiest stations, including hubs in Lynnwood, Bellevue, Redmond, Federal Way, and the SeaTac/Airport station. If implemented, riders would be required to tap ORCA cards or credit cards when entering and exiting stations.

Sound Transit has allocated approximately $6 million for the design and procurement of these ADA-accessible gates. The total cost for the gates is estimated at $87 million, with the agency projecting that the investment could be recouped within two to three years through a reduction in fare evasion, which is estimated to save over $30 million annually.