Ballard Link Extension project updates
Like many agencies nationwide that are balancing transit operations and mega-project capital expansions, Sound Transit faces rapidly escalating costs in nearly every area of its work.
To proactively address these challenges, Sound Transit launched the Enterprise Initiative: a comprehensive effort to manage rapidly rising capital and operating costs while affordably delivering the ST3 program’s goals. As a key first step, the Sound Transit Board adopted an updated ST3 System Plan on May 28, 2026.
Under the updated System Plan adopted by the Board, the Ballard Link Extension project is moving forward.
Sound Transit is advancing the full project through environmental review and final design, from SODO to Ballard. The Board allocated funding to construct the BLE project between SODO and Seattle Center. This includes the second downtown tunnel, which is critical to the operation and future growth of the regional transit system.
While construction of the segment between Seattle Center and Ballard is not currently affordable, the Board’s commitment to completing environmental review and design for the full project creates multiple paths to address the affordability gap. Moving forward with this work will allow the agency to continue refining the project, identify opportunities to reduce costs and community impacts, and pursue additional funding and financing options. Importantly, it maintains momentum on the full project and provides the runway to secure additional funding and unlock cost savings that will deliver light rail all the way to Market Street in Ballard.
Next steps
We are continuing to move through environmental review for the entire project. The next major milestone in this phase is publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
We are currently working with our partners at the Federal Transit Administration to finalize and confirm a publication date, anticipated later this year. Once a publication date is confirmed, we’ll provide more information about how the public can review and comment on the Draft EIS comment period and how you can provide feedback.
Community input will continue to play an important role as we move through environmental review, advance design, and work toward delivering the full Ballard Link Extension.
Get the latest on this project in your inbox.
Visit our detailed online open house to learn more and stay current with the Ballard Link Extension project progress.
Overview
The Ballard Link Extension (BLE) will connect Chinatown-International District and downtown Seattle with the Interbay and Ballard neighborhoods. It will also add a new light rail tunnel in downtown Seattle to operate the system efficiently. Voters approved this project in November 2016 as part of the Sound Transit 3 vote. The project is currently in the planning phase.
Ballard Link Extension
Adds 7.7 miles of light rail service from downtown Seattle to the Ballard neighborhood. This extension includes a new downtown Seattle light rail tunnel.
Includes nine new stations from Chinatown-International District to Ballard.
Will improve transit service frequency, reliability, and capacity.
Facilitates redevelopment near stations, focusing on equitable transit-oriented development.
Start of service is scheduled for 2039.
Current project status
We expect to publish the BLE Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) this year. The Draft EIS evaluates project alternatives and each alternative’s potential benefits and impacts. This evaluation also proposes actions to mitigate potential impacts. The Draft EIS will analyze the entire project, from SODO to Ballard. You will have an opportunity to review and comment on the Draft EIS during a public comment period.
After the comment period ends, the Sound Transit Board will review the Tribal, agency, and public comments on the Draft EIS, along with the technical analysis and other information, before confirming or modifying the preferred alternative. Sound Transit will further evaluate the preferred alternative and other alternatives in the Final EIS. After publication of the Final EIS, the Board will select the project to be built.
Additional background
For those tracking this process, we published a Draft EIS for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) in 2022, followed by a public comment period. The projects then moved onto separate timelines, after additional studies and community engagement led to new alternatives for the Ballard Link Extension (BLE).
The upcoming BLE Draft EIS includes a study of refinements to alternatives. This study will include the alternatives the Sound Transit Board identified in March and July 2023. The BLE Draft EIS will build upon and carry forward the alternatives included in the 2022 WSBLE Draft EIS. This process will also consider public comments about the BLE submitted previously on the 2022 WSBLE Draft EIS.
Where can I learn more as a project neighbor?
Visit the project’s Online Open House to learn more. If you have any questions or you would like to set up a meeting to learn more, contact the project team at ballardlink@soundtransit.org.
The Sound Transit Board will make a final decision on routes, stations, and the project to be built after we publish the BLE Final EIS. We expect to publish the Final EIS in 2026.