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Ballard Link

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Sound Transit Rebalances ST3, Puts Ballard Link on Hold Amid Major Budget Gap
transportation1 month ago

Sound Transit Rebalances ST3, Puts Ballard Link on Hold Amid Major Budget Gap

Sound Transit approved a sweeping ST3 rebalancing to address a $34 billion budget shortfall over the next two decades, deferring or delaying major lines including the Ballard Link north of downtown and leaving about $2.5 billion in projects fully deferred. Graham Street Station was funded; Boeing Access Road remains unaffordable; Renton’s 700-stall parking garage was funded by transferring $100 million from the 4 Line. The agency will pursue cost savings, new financing tools, and independent oversight, plus an RFI to speed delivery, but there is no firm Ballard timeline as West Seattle Link continues toward design. Advocates protested Ballard’s deferral, arguing voters approved ST3; officials say ST3 is not canceled, just recalibrated.

via The Urbanist|
#ballard-link#funding#sound-transit
Strauss Seeks to Rewire ST3 Funds, Reigniting Ballard Tunnel Debate
transportation1 month ago

Strauss Seeks to Rewire ST3 Funds, Reigniting Ballard Tunnel Debate

As Sound Transit nears a May vote to update ST3, Seattle Councilmember Dan Strauss proposes reallocating North King County funds to finance a Ballard spur and pause the full second downtown tunnel, effectively keeping the tunnel funded but not fully built while creating a shorter Ballard connection. The move could save billions (analysts cite more than $4 billion in 2025 dollars) but would delay Ballard’s full build, risking decades of limited service for the neighborhood as Sound Transit grapples with a large funding gap (~$11–$13 billion through 2052) and federal approvals that have slowed Ballard’s environmental review. Supporters say every regional center would finally connect to the spine; critics warn Ballard riders would face transfers and longer trips without a complete tunnel.

via The Urbanist|
#ballard-link#funding-gap#second-downtown-tunnel
Somers Plan Keeps Rail Spine Intact, Delays Ballard and Eastside Links
transportation2 months ago

Somers Plan Keeps Rail Spine Intact, Delays Ballard and Eastside Links

Sound Transit chair Dave Somers proposes a revenue-conscious revision of ST3 that preserves the light-rail spine to Everett and Tacoma while deferring or delaying several costly extensions, including Ballard Link and the Eastside line. West Seattle Link would move ahead, but the Ballard northern segment and the Rainier Valley infill station face delays or uncertainty, and the South Kirkland–Issaquah link is pushed to 2050. The Sounder N Line would end in 2033, and a T Line extension to Tacoma Community College would stretch to 2043, with a Sounder extension to DuPont deferred indefinitely. The 18-member Sound Transit Board has about three weeks to negotiate changes before a May vote to finalize a new ST3 plan.

via The Urbanist|
#ballard-link#rainier-valley-infill#sound-transit
Sound Transit lays out plan to close $34.5B funding gap, reshaping ST3 rail expansion
transportation2 months ago

Sound Transit lays out plan to close $34.5B funding gap, reshaping ST3 rail expansion

Sound Transit unveiled a plan to close a $34.5 billion funding shortfall over the next two decades by categorizing ST3 rail projects into fully funded, partially funded, and deferred groups, delaying ambitious extensions like Ballard and West Seattle while preserving some lines and funding for design work; a May 28 board vote will determine which elements proceed, with lawmakers weighing new financing tools to bridge the gap.

via KOMO|
#ballard-link#funding-shortfall#light-rail