Community feedback looms large as Sound Transit considers scaling back projects
KOMO • • nation
Key Points:
- Sound Transit is holding a special meeting with public comment to discuss scaling back its Sound Transit 3 (ST3) light rail expansion due to a projected $34 billion budget shortfall over the next 20 years.
- Despite earlier proposals to cancel expansions to Tacoma, Everett, and West Seattle, the current plan keeps these projects affordable and on track, focusing cuts on other areas.
- Some projects will proceed only through design or partial funding, including the Ballard Link extension through final design and infill stations at Boeing Access Road and Graham Street, while full extensions like Ballard to Market Street are currently unaffordable.
- The Ballard Link extension would end at Seattle Center under the new proposal, and the Issaquah extension faces a long timeline with completion projected 24 years from now.
- Sound Transit is expected to vote on May 28 to finalize changes to its expansion plans to address the budget shortfall.