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West Seattle light rail and the Pigeon Point herons: what Sound Transit plans, and what Seattle's Council has already approved

Sound Transit says no nests will be removed but trees near the colony will be. The city helps write the heron plan, and the Council has voted on the route and on buying forest land in Delridge.

By Seattle Politics staffUpdated

Sound Transit's design for the West Seattle light rail extension is drawing new scrutiny over its effect on a great blue heron colony at Pigeon Point and the West Duwamish Greenbelt, KOMO reported Tuesday. The colony has about two dozen nests. Critics worry about tree removal, noise and ground-shaking construction.

For West Seattle residents, the line promises a faster trip: Sound Transit says it could cut travel from the Alaska Junction to Westlake from about 30 minutes to 16. The trade-off is construction through one of the city's largest remaining stretches of urban forest.

What Sound Transit says

According to KOMO:

  • No heron nests will be removed, but trees north of the colony inside the construction area will be, with mitigation.
  • The agency has monitored the colony and coordinated with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife since 2020.
  • A Great Blue Heron Habitat Management Plan is expected in mid-2027, developed with the state agency and the City of Seattle. Mitigation and replanting plans are expected in the first half of 2027.
  • Early construction is expected to start in 2027, with tree removal and larger work in late 2027 or early 2028.
  • A redesign over 18 months dropped the planned Avalon Station and put more of the route in a tunnel, which Sound Transit says found more than $2 billion in savings. The project reached 30 percent design in July.

The line's opening has slipped to 2035 after a three-year delay announced in August, Construction Dive reported. Sound Transit's Resolution R2026-18 authorizes buying all or part of 55 Seattle parcels for the project.

What our records add: three Council votes

Sound Transit is a regional agency with its own board, so the Council does not approve its designs. But three Council actions shape the West Seattle line.

The route. Res 32172, sponsored by District 1's Rob Saka, approved the alignment, station locations and maintenance base for Link in Seattle, including the West Seattle extension. It was adopted 8-0 at the July 15, 2025 meeting, after a 5-0 committee vote.

The right of way. CB 121003, also Saka's, amended the city's agreement letting Sound Transit use city streets and land for light rail to reflect that route. It passed 8-0 the same day.

The forest. CB 121230, sponsored by Debora Juarez, lets Seattle Parks negotiate and buy land in Delridge to preserve and expand the Delridge Native Forest. Its title notes the West Seattle extension "is expected to require park greenspace conversions," and it gives the parks superintendent blanket authority for future purchases there, including land connected to the project. It passed 7-0 at the June 23 meeting. Saka voted yes in committee and on the floor.

The city's other formal role is through its members on the Sound Transit board. Mayor Katie Wilson and Councilmember Dan Strauss both serve, The Urbanist reported when the 2026 board was set. King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who represents West Seattle on the county council, also joined the board.

The city also has a role in tree replacement: KOMO reported Sound Transit must meet replanting obligations under city code. Critics told the station they want more detail on permits and enforcement before construction begins.

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