Ballard Link Extension

Sound Transit announces public meetings during Ballard Link Extension public comment period

Members of the public will be able to review and comment on the Draft EIS from Dec. 11, 2026, through Feb. 9, 2027

Publish Date

Publication of the Ballard Link Extension Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Dec. 11 will start a 60-day comment period when members of the public can provide input to help shape the expansion of regional, high-capacity transit from SODO to Market Street in Ballard.

“The release of the Draft EIS is an important milestone for the Ballard Link Extension and the future of our regional transportation system. Connecting Ballard to the broader Link light rail network will strengthen connections between communities, employment centers, and economic hubs across the Puget Sound Region,” said Snohomish County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dave Somers. “We remain committed to advancing the full vision voters approved through ST3 and finding a path to deliver light rail all the way to Market Street. I encourage residents, businesses and community leaders across Seattle and the broader region to review the Draft EIS, provide public comments, and make their voices heard. Community input is essential to making informed decisions and building a regional transit system that will serve generations to come.”

The Ballard Link Extension will add 7.7 miles of light rail from SODO to the Ballard neighborhood, including a new 3.3-mile rail-only tunnel. Construction from SODO to Seattle Center is fully funded under the updated ST3 System Plan. That section of the extension is expected to open in 2042.

While construction funding from Seattle Center to Ballard is not yet secured, the Draft EIS includes the entire alignment to Market Street in Ballard and advances the full extension through the next step of environmental review. Sound Transit is committed to reducing project costs, increasing financial capacity, and securing the remaining construction funding to be able to open the full extension at the same time.

“Delivering the Ballard Link Extension is essential to improving regional mobility and fulfilling the commitment made to voters through ST3,” said King County Executive and Sound Transit Board member Girmay Zahilay. “The release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement marks an important milestone to keep this project moving forward. We know the passion that King County residents and transit riders have for this project, and I encourage everyone to make their voices heard during the public comment period to keep up the momentum.”

“With the publication of the Ballard Link Extension Draft EIS, now it’s the public's turn to officially weigh in and make your voice heard by commenting on this document,” said Sound Transit Board Member and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. “Sound Transit made a promise to voters to deliver light rail from the CID to Ballard, and this neighborhood has been vocal in their support of more transit. Together, we can keep this project moving and ensure it gets built for the good of the city and greater region.”

“This is a major step toward bringing light rail to Ballard. While we still have a lot of work to do to deliver the Ballard Link Extension as fast as possible, this moment marks a major milestone for the project. Thousands of people have already voiced their support for this project through town halls, public comments, and letter campaigns. Now, I encourage everyone to bring that same energy to providing public input on the Draft EIS to help us create the best possible system that will serve our community for generations to come,” said Seattle City Council member and Sound Transit Board member Dan Strauss.

 

Virtual meeting/hearing:

Jan. 26, 2027, 5-6:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom

In-person meetings/hearings:

Jan. 6, 4-6:30 p.m.
Union Station, 401 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104


Jan. 12, 5-7:30 p.m.
National Nordic Museum, 2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107

 

Jan. 19, 5-7 p.m.
415 on Westlake, 415 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

The public is also invited to comment on the Draft EIS in any of the following ways during the comment period:

The Draft EIS compares different routes and station alternatives. The document also considers how alternative alignment options might affect natural, human, and built environments, and proposed actions to minimize potential impacts.

"Every project promised to voters is vital to delivering a truly regional transit system that connects riders to jobs, schools, commerce and essential services — no matter where they live in Puget Sound," said Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, vice chair of the Sound Transit Board. "This is a major milestone for the Ballard Link Extension that keeps us on track to finish this critical project. Thank you to the Federal Transit Administration for reaffirming its commitment to connecting our dynamic region so everyone has access to reliable, affordable public transit."

“As System Expansion Committee chair, I am grateful to the people – community members, staff, and Board – who have kept this project moving. Each major expansion makes our regional network stronger, our communities closer, our economy more vibrant, our traffic smoother, and our air cleaner. Congratulations on passing this milestone,” said Redmond Mayor and Sound Transit Board member Angela Birney.

Environmental review will continue through publication of the Final EIS, which is expected in early 2028. Environmental review ends when the Federal Transit Administration issues a Record of Decision. The Sound Transit Board will select the project to be built, which is their official decision about which route and stations to build.

“Sound Transit’s partnership with Labor is critical to our region’s vitality. Investments in transformational infrastructure like the Ballard Link Extension will benefit current and future generations while creating family-wage careers that will keep our region thriving and moving for decades to come,” said Sound Transit Labor Liaison Heather Kurtenbach.  

"Ballard Link and the second downtown tunnel are a downpayment on Puget Sound's future. It's a commitment to make life better for the people who live and work in Seattle today, and a call to businesses and people across the country that we want them to make this place home. We are one major step closer to welcoming riders on board with the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. A huge thanks to the Sound Transit and FTA staff who got this done," said Kirk Hovenkotter, Executive Director, Transportation Choices Coalition.

“We have identified a path to deliver the entire Ballard Link Extension by 2042, and we are determined to meet that goal," said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constanine. "Publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and public comment on the document are key next steps, so I encourage people to review the elements of the DEIS and provide input. I am confident we can deliver this full project because experience and momentum are on our side.”