Submitted by Zachary, who says:

This map is based on voter-approved expansions to the Seattle area’s light rail network and represents what the system should look like in 2041 when the extensions are finished. The light rail, which currently has two separate lines (one runs from the University of Washington area through downtown Seattle and on to the airport; the other is a short segment in Tacoma), will grow to a sprawling system connecting the entire region. Sound Transit’s plans do not indicate how many separate lines there will be so I made guesses based on the information they’ve made available (I did make a silly guess in my first draft where I included something of an express line…before realizing that there isn’t track capacity to support that). Existing commuter rail lines, express buses, and a proposed Bus Rapid Transit line will help connect spots that the light rail won’t quite reach. 

The map is stylistically based off of a “stylized system map” hidden away on Sound Transit’s website. It is from that that I included the ST Express bus lines with their route call-outs at each station, something I didn’t intend to do originally but something that seemed very useful on Sound Transit’s map and I like how it turned out on mine. The line colors are also based on the colors of Sound Transit’s map to give a sense of continuity… although I do really like Oran Viriyincy’s choices on his Seattle Transit Map (which shows detailed current services); he went for colors based on local culture. 

This is my second transit map and the first made using a real graphics design program (although you might notice that I’m not exactly proficient at curves in Inkscape…I’ll just claim for now that it was a stylistic choice; my first map was a Budapest system map made in PowerPoint so I think I’m doing better). I’m really glad that there’s a place to send these where there’s opportunity for viewing and feedback; thanks!

Information about the expansions here.
And Sound Transit’s current, albeit hidden, map here (link no longer active).

Transit Maps says:

For only your second map (and first with a real graphics program!), this is really good, Zachary! Definitely work on adding curves to route line corners: it always helps a map flow better, in my opinion. Hard corners like you have here create a jerky, staccato effect, where your eyes stop and start while following route lines. However, apart from the lack of curves, you’ve done a great job following the style of the official Sound Transit schematic you reference above – I can definitely see this as a future progression of that map!

Now for the bad news.

Unfortunately, you’ve interpreted the plans for the downtown segment incorrectly. You’ve drawn your map as if all the lines will be routed down the current Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT), but they’re actually going to dig a whole new tunnel to carry the Ballard extension. The new tunnel will start between the Smith Cove and Seattle Center stations, and will interchange with the existing station at Westlake before crossing over to 5th or 6th Avenue (final routing TBD) and the new Midtown station (probably at around Madison Street). Ballard trains can’t stop at University Street or Pioneer Square, simply because they’re over in the DSTT. 

The new tunnel will join back to the main trunk at International District/Chinatown station, where trains from Ballard will continue down to the Airport and beyond, while trains from Everett/UW will now go to West Seattle – Zachary gets that new service pattern correct on his map. I believe that East Link trains will use the DSTT in the future as the infrastructure currently being built ties into that tunnel.

One curious thing to note is that only West Seattle trains will call at Stadium once these lines are finished; Airport trains will skip this station. (Though I wonder if that will still hold true on game days for the Sounders, Mariners or Seahawks – it seems strange to not provide direct light rail service on both lines to Stadium station then.)

The configuration described above is shown in the ST3 map Zachary references above, but it’s not drawn particularly clearly. I only understand it because I’ve had it explained to me in great detail by transit engineers.

I’m not as familiar with the Issaquah extension, but I think that what Zachary has drawn is right. I feel sure that followers from Seattle will be quick to point out any other errors…

So Zachary’s challenge is to take what he’s done and reconfigure and improve upon it. I look forward to seeing the next version!