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Ballard Link Extension Draft Environmental Impact Statement coming Dec. 11
We’re excited to share that Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration will publish the Ballard Link Extension Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Dec. 11, 2026, and open a 60-day public comment period.
This is an important milestone for the project and our continued efforts to deliver light rail through downtown Seattle and all the way to Ballard. Advancing the environmental review process will help us move the full project toward final design and construction.
What is a Draft EIS?
A Draft EIS is an environmental review document that evaluates possible routes and station locations, collectively called “alternatives.” It describes the potential benefits and impacts of each alternative and identifies ways to reduce potential impacts. Learn more about what a Draft EIS includes here.
The upcoming Draft EIS will study the entire Ballard Link Extension project, from SODO to Ballard.
What’s new since the 2022 Draft EIS?
The upcoming Draft EIS builds on the environmental review completed in 2022 when we published a combined Draft EIS for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions.
The Ballard Link Extension Draft EIS carries forward all previously studied alternatives. It also evaluates refinements to previous alternatives along with new alternatives identified by the Sound Transit Board in March and July 2023, following additional study and community engagement.
How can I participate in the comment period?
The Draft EIS will be available for public review beginning Dec. 11, with a 60-day public comment period.
Under federal guidelines, the Draft EIS comment period must be at least 45 days. We’ve heard community interest in having more time to review the document and share feedback, and the FTA has agreed to extend the comment period to 60 days.
We’re committed to helping community members find the information they need to review the Draft EIS and participate. We'll offer opportunities to connect with project staff at upcoming public hearings and community events, and we'll work with local organizations and community partners to support participation.
Public input is an important part of the environmental review process. Your feedback helps the project team and Sound Transit Board understand community priorities before confirming or modifying the preferred alternative.
What's next?
As we approach Dec. 11, we'll share more information about:
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Where to find and review the Draft EIS.
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How to submit comments during the 60-day comment period.
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Upcoming public hearings and community events.
Forum recap: The path to Ballard
On Monday, Oct. 19, more than 325 people from across the region joined us at the National Nordic Museum for a community forum about the Ballard Link Extension project.
The event included remarks from elected officials, a presentation from Sound Transit staff, and a community Q&A.
If you didn’t get the chance to attend, head over to The Platform blog to read a recap of what we shared, what we heard, and what comes next.
Thank you to everyone who attended and shared their questions, ideas, and feedback!
Stay
You can expect several project updates and opportunities to engage with us in the months to come, including:
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Results from our Request For Information: Project staff are finishing their review of ideas submitted to save cost and speed delivery of Ballard Link and other ST3 projects. We’ll share an overview of the information received with the Board and the public later this year.
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Publishing the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement: Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will publish the Draft EIS on Dec. 11. Stay tuned for links to the Draft EIS, opportunities to provide public comment, and information about upcoming public events.
In the meantime, we encourage you to stay engaged and share project updates with friends and neighbors.
Stay up to date
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