Following reports that Sound Transit may delay expanding service to the South Sound, the Tacoma City Council sent a letter urging the board to prioritize advancing the next phase of Sound Transit’s expansion.
The Sound Transit 3 project is the latest plan to expand rail and bus service in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties.
Due to a $34.5 billion funding gap, Sound Transit is exploring the possibility of delaying parts of the ST3 plan, which voters approved in 2016.
“Tacoma cares deeply about its transit future, and our community will not accept delays that disproportionately impact the South Sound," the letter said.
In addition to the possible future delays, Tacoma City Council’s letter also cites a delay already in place to push back the Tacoma Dome Link Extension from 2030 to 2035.
“Together, this region serves nearly one million residents and functions as a vital economic engine for the state,” the letter says.
“Ensuring these communities are well connected to the broader transit network is essential to sustaining economic growth, supporting employers, and expanding access to opportunity for a large and diverse population.”
Tacoma City Councilmember Kristina Walker, who also serves as a Sound Transit board member, updated her council colleagues Tuesday on the status of the expansion.
She emphasized that the board is looking at all options, including delays, fewer stops on lines, and more efficient building methods.
“We covered everything, and we didn’t make any decisions,” Walker said. “There’s no proposals on the table. I know I’ve heard that from a lot of constituents, that we’ve already proposed something.”
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