On May 28, the Sound Transit Board adopted an updated ST3 System Plan to guide the next phase of transit expansion projects across the region. This action established a sustainable path forward to address an estimated $34.5 billion gap in the agency’s financial plan over the next 20 years and deliver the voter-approved ST3 program.
The updated System Plan keeps projects moving with available funding and directs the agency to pursue cost savings, additional funding opportunities, and project delivery efficiencies to advance the ST3 program.
Learn more about the updated ST3 System Plan in Resolution R2026-11 and in our recent Platform article.
What does this mean for the Ballard Link Extension project?
Under the updated System Plan adopted by the Board, the Ballard Link Extension project is continuing to move forward.
Sound Transit is advancing the full project through environmental review and final design, from SODO to Ballard. The Board allocated funding to construct the BLE project between SODO and Seattle Center, including the second downtown tunnel that is critical to the operation and future growth of the regional transit system.
While construction of the segment between Seattle Center and Ballard is not currently affordable, the Board’s commitment to completing environmental review and design for the full project creates multiple paths to address the affordability gap.
Moving forward with this work will allow the agency to continue refining the project, identify opportunities to reduce costs and community impacts, and pursue additional funding and financing options.
Importantly, it maintains momentum on the full project and provides the runway to secure additional funding and unlock cost savings that will deliver light rail all the way to Market Street in Ballard.
What's next for the project?
We are continuing the environmental review for the entire project. The next major milestone in this phase is publishing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will evaluate alternatives for the full alignment and all stations from SODO to Ballard.
We are currently working with our partners at the Federal Transit Administration to finalize the Draft EIS and confirm a publication date, anticipated later this year. Once a publication date is confirmed, we’ll share more information about the Draft EIS comment period through email updates and on our project’s online open house.
Community input will continue to play an important role as we move through environmental review, advance design, and work toward delivering the full Ballard Link Extension.
