Today, Executive Girmay Zahilay announced his sponsorship for new amendments to the ST3 system update plan that will advance critical transit projects in King County and improve accountability at Sound Transit.  

The Sound Transit Board is expected to vote on these amendments and updated plan on Thursday. In March, the Executive committed to regional collaboration to address the agency’s $34.5 billion funding shortfall while keeping projects affordable and moving forward. 

“Addressing a budget deficit of this size is incredibly challenging, and difficult decisions were always going to be necessary,” said Executive Zahilay. “Even so, we made meaningful progress to move all of King County’s projects forward, and no project has been permanently shelved or taken off the table. I’m grateful to community members who have spoken out over the past few months to make their priorities clear, helping the board shape a stronger plan for our region. There is still a lot more to do, and I will continue working with federal, state, and local partners to secure the resources, cost savings, and efficiencies needed to deliver the transit system that voters approved in 2016.” 

Executive Zahilay is partnering with fellow board members and local leaders on several key amendments being introduced today to improve the Chair’s proposal, including: 

• Moving forward to construct the Graham Street station with Mayor Katie Wilson, providing opportunities for transit-oriented development and connectivity in the Rainier Valley.  

• Securing resources for transit mitigation for North Tukwila with Mayor Thomas McLeod, Councilmember Steffanie Fain, and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, supporting mobility while continuing to move forward design on the Boeing Access Road Station and working to identify cost savings and alternative financing and delivery options. 

• Allocating full funding that will ensure parking access at the Renton Transit Center with Councilmember Ed Prince, Mayor Angela Birney, Councilmember Steffanie Fain, and Mayor Thomas McLeod. Moving forward long-planned parking to connect with the future STRIDE line connecting communities from Burien to Bellevue.   

• Committing to pursue cost-saving and financial resources to complete the full Ballard Link Extension with Mayor Wilson, Councilmember Dan Strauss and Councilmember Mosqueda.  This includes directing Sound Transit to initiate a Request for Information to identify strategies that reduce cost or speed up delivery. 

In addition to sponsoring these amendments, Executive Zahilay has been working with Chair Dave Somers and Executive Ryan Mello in the last few months to craft a financially responsible system plan while also securing commitments to explore every option to support delivery of all ST3 projects.    

The striking amendment being brought forward by Chair Somers proposal includes delivering the West Seattle Link Extension, moving the Issaquah to Kirkland Line forward, opening a second station in South Federal Way, advancing and strengthening connections between major job centers in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Importantly, the striking amendment includes a commitment to moving forward to fully design all light rail projects, including the Ballard Link Extension and Boeing Access Road infill station. 

Additionally, Executive Zahilay worked with Chair Somers to incorporate language regarding enhanced oversight and accountability over Sound Transit, including establishing an independent oversight program by December 2026 that will provide expert independent information on engineering and design decisions to the board. This language is now included in the Chair’s proposal. 

"We cannot put our communities in this situation again,” said Executive Zahilay. “This added layer of oversight ensures that Sound Transit is doing their homework and presenting the Board with all available cost savings and efficiencies to deliver light rail on time and within budget.”