 Construction near Overlake Village Station. Image courtesy: Sound Transit
I have always believed that great transit is critical to our quality of life, our economy and our environment. That's why I have worked so hard to plan and implement a robust, regionwide high-capacity transit system, and helped to plan and advocate for passage of Sound Transit 3 (ST3).
Thanks to the voters who approved ST3, we now have an essential, but tremendously challenging job: deliver one of the largest transit expansions in the nation. Through approximately 2041, Sound Transit will be spending billions of dollars per year and building a light rail system that will grow to be almost five times larger than it is in 2023. The sheer magnitude of increase in the size of our construction program presents unique and formidable challenges. In addition, since ST3 passed, we have encountered several other large and small roadblocks, including COVID, the concrete driver strike, workmanship problems and more.
For all of these reasons, in 2021 as a part of realigning our financial plan in response to COVID-era financial challenges, I proposed that we convene a group of national experts to bring outside perspective and much-needed guidance to this help us rise to meet the challenges of this monumental transit expansion program.
Yesterday, this Technical Advisory Group presented its findings and recommendations for how Sound Transit could scale up the agency’s capabilities and revamp processes to speed up and improve delivery of Sound Transit’s regionwide network of light rail, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail projects.
These recommendations challenge our status quo, and that can be uncomfortable for any agency. But ultimately, we need to embrace the call to transform how we work to deliver our projects more efficiently and effectively. To deliver a program of this magnitude, we need to change how our agency does business. I wholeheartedly support working with Sound Transit to act on these expert recommendations.
Cultural Conversations: "What Connects Us"
 Since 2010, the City of Bellevue’s Cultural Conversations series has brought women from diverse backgrounds together to connect through education and storytelling. Next Wednesday, March 8, on International Women’s Day, the wider community is invited to “What Connects US,” an evening with three Bellevue residents who will share their stories from around the world.
Join to hear about Marilyn’s interest in indigenous culture and her advocacy for tribal and human rights, Hind’s experience fleeing Syria’s civil war and the parallels with Jewish families fleeing Europe during World War II, and Rachel’s work speaking up for girls and women who have been victims of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
King County Parks is now accepting applications for four grant programs: Aquatic Facilities, Parks Capital and Open Space, Open Space – River Corridors, and Healthy Communities and Parks Fund. These grants will help expand and improve our parks and open spaces so more people can enjoy them. You can review the application guidelines and watch a recorded webinar to learn more here. Applications are open through March 15:
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Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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