SEATTLE — Sound Transit and local leaders are expected to provide an update Monday on the delayed Ballard light rail extension, including the project’s timeline and efforts to reduce costs.
A public forum is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard.
Voters approved the Ballard extension 10 years ago, but the project isn’t expected to be completed until 2042 as Sound Transit navigates a $34.5 billion funding shortfall and rising construction costs that have pushed back several planned light rail expansions.
“I was disappointed and confused. Like I didn’t understand why it was happening and why wasn’t it more simple,” Marina, who lives in Ballard, told KIRO 7.
Monday’s forum is expected to provide an update on the Ballard project’s timeline, efforts to reduce costs, and what comes next.
The delays have fueled frustration among some Ballard residents and transit advocates.
“We’re seeing how much Sound Transit is ready to fix their problems, and how much we’ll be needing to fix it for them through activism and working with the state legislature,” said Carl Aslund with Save Ballard Rail. “I would like to think that the rhetoric we’ve been hearing from the board is sincere, that they do want to find a solution, but we don’t have it yet.”
Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine and Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, who represents Ballard, are among the leaders expected to participate in the forum. Many in the neighborhood hope to hear the agency provide a concrete plan and timeline for the extension.
“I guess maybe more on the why it’s not happening and what are the roadblocks and what we can do as a community to push it forward and help,” Marina said.
Ballard isn’t the only light rail expansion facing delays. The Everett extension, once expected to be completed in 2036, is now projected for 2041. The West Seattle extension, previously expected in 2030, is now slated for 2035, with construction expected to begin next year. Even with those delays, some are remaining hopeful the light rail will eventually make it to their neighborhood.
“There’s literally buildings everywhere. Like density is built up because there is this expectation that the light rail will come,” Hashom, who works in Ballard, said.
The delays and rising costs have prompted broader questions from members of the public about Sound Transit’s ability to deliver its planned light rail expansion.
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