Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8m
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
April 26, 2022
DATE : April 6, 2022
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Geraldine H Poor, Regional Transportation Senior Manager
SUBJECT: Sound Transit Project Administration Agreement with the Port of Seattle related to
the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE)
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to (1) execute a Project
Administration Agreement with Sound Transit to provide reimbursement to the Port of Seattle
for the costs of certain services and products related to the Project and (2) execute task orders
that are consistent with the agreement and do not exceed a combined total of $5,000,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Project Administration Agreement (PAA) implements a commitment in the Partnering
Agreement among Sound Transit, Port of Seattle (Port) and the Northwest Seaport Alliance
(NWSA) for Sound Transit to provide reimbursement for costs of certain Port services and
projects related to the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) project.
JUSTIFICATION
The WSBLE Project is located within the City of Seattle. Port facilities will be affected by the
project, as well as properties licensed to the NWSA. Our involvement in project planning is critical
to the successful and timely delivery of the project.
The Port, NWSA and Sound Transit executed a project Partnering Agreement (GA 0089-20) on
August 24, 2020, to document and confirm a mutual understanding of general terms and
conditions to advance the implementation of the Project. This PAA addresses the commitment
in Section 10.1.2 of the Partnering Agreement for the Parties to work cooperatively to negotiate
in good faith a funding agreement to provide reimbursement to the Port for the costs of certain
services and products related to the WSBLE Project.
This PAA has been reviewed and approved by Sound Transit and Port staff and legal counsel. The
NWSA Managing Members approved the execution of a parallel agreement on April 6, 2022.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _8m_ Page 2 of 2
Meeting Date: April 26, 2022
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Diversity in Contracting
This is not a contracting action; thus this is not applicable.
DETAILS
The PAA between Sound Transit and the Port addresses the commitment in Section 10.1.2 of the
Partnering Agreement for the parties to work cooperatively to negotiate in good faith a funding
agreement to provide reimbursement to the Port for the costs of certain services and products
related to the Project. Following execution of the PAA, each agency’s staff will collaborate to
develop a Task Order.
Schedule
Sound Transit is the implementing agency for the WSBLE project. The Partnering Agreement
extends through the Planning and Environmental Review phase but articulates that it may be
extended into additional phases.
Regarding the Planning and Environmental Review phase schedule, Sound Transit’s Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is currently available for public review through April 28,
2022. The Sound Transit Board will confirm or modify the Preferred Alternative in 2022, leading
to a Final EIS planned for 2023. The final project to be built would be selected by the Sound
Transit Board and be followed by an FTA Record of Decision in 2023.
The West Seattle Link Extension design phase is planned for 2023-2027, with construction
underway from 2026-2032. The design phase for the Ballard Link Extension and downtown
Seattle light rail tunnel is expected to begin in 2023 and be completed in 2027. Construction and
testing for Ballard and downtown are expected to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2037-2039.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The PAA is a good faith funding agreement for ST to reimburse Port staff time for certain services
during the Planning and Environmental Phase, resulting in a positive financial impact.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
(2) Draft Project Administration Agreement
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
On July 2, 2020, the Port Commission approved a Partnering Agreement among Sound Transit
(ST), the Port of Seattle (Port) and The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) for the West
Seattle Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE), GA 0089-20. This action was a dual vote of the
boards of the NWSA and Port at a Managing Members meeting.
On April 3, 2018, Sound Transit staff briefed the NWSA Managing Members on the West
Seattle Ballard Link Extensions.
Staff provides regular Sound Transit updates to the Port Commission.
