Link light rail on an elevated track with dramatic clouds behind

What's Happening Now

Sound Transit Board considers delays to light rail expansion

People sitting around a table talking to each other

Mayor Wilson and other Sound Transit Board members discuss ways to reduce costs at the March 18 Board retreat (Photo by Sound Transit)

The Sound Transit Board is considering ways to fill a long-term funding gap. This includes cost-saving approaches such as phasing construction on some projects. This means the Board could decide to delay building the Graham St Station, West Seattle Link Extension, or parts of the Ballard Link Extension.  

Do you want to learn more or share your thoughts? Attend one or all of these events:

Other ways to learn more and share your thoughts

You can learn more about the cost-saving approaches the Sound Transit Board is considering on slides 28-33 of this presentation and by visiting Sound Transit's long term affordability page. You can also share your thoughts with Mayor Wilson, Executive Zahilay, Councilmember Strauss, and King County Councilmember Mosqueda who all serve on the Sound Transit Board.  

About the Expansion

Sound Transit is building 13 new and expanded light rail stations with service to West Seattle in 2032 and Ballard in 2039. The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) include a new transit tunnel under Downtown and two water crossings. It is the largest transit investment in our city’s history.

Additional Stations
• Pinehurst Station
• Graham Street Station
• Boeing Access Road Station

Why Light Rail? 

Benefits of expanding light rail

  • reduces traffic congestion
  • improves air quality, environmental sustainability
  • attracts new businesses and residents
  • revitalizes neighborhoods
  • adds rapid, reliable and efficient high-capacity service
  • enhances mobility, especially for those who depend on transit

How light rail differs from bus transit

  • greater capacity
  • improved reliability with dedicated travel space
  • economic development potential

Light Rail map expansion running from Ballard, through Interbay, through Downtown Seattle, The International District, Stadium District and then over to West Seattle

Please refer to Sound Transit's website for details on project delivery dates.

Map graphic: Sound Transit

Sound Transit and the City are working together to create a more connected, more productive region by making it easier and safer for people to take transit to jobs, housing, and the many opportunities the Seattle area offers. — Goran Sparrman, Interim CEO, Sound Transit

How the City and Sound Transit Work Together

Aerial graphic looking at a drawing of a station and surrounding neighborhood. The Station is colored and says "Sound Transit", the section just a few blocks around says "Station Context: Sound Transit and City of Seattle" and the area a few miles around show "Station Area: City of Seattle"

City of Seattle

Sound Transit
Leads the design and construction of street improvements to make it safer to travel to and from the light rail stations in Seattle  Leads the design and construction of the West Seattle Light Rail Extension and Ballard Light Rail Extension, known as Sound Transit 3 (ST3)
Manages arterial and residential street use and maintenance in the City of Seattle  Operates the light rail system in Seattle and throughout the region
Updates city codes to align permit requirements with city environmental goals Manages the siting for light rail stations and track alignments
Ensures compliance with city codes and permit requirements Discusses mitigation efforts with property and business owners
Develops transit-oriented design around the station Develops transit-oriented design at the station
Engages stakeholders and the public about its areas of responsibility Engages stakeholders and the public about its areas of responsibility
Overseen by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), the Mayor, and City Council Overseen by the CEO and Board of Sound Transit

Transportation

Angela Brady, Acting Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996
Phone: (206) 684-7623
684-Road@seattle.gov

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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.