Project map and summary

Map depicting Ballard Link Extension
Map depicting Ballard Link Extension

Ballard Link Extension project updates

The Ballard Link Extension is moving forward with an updated project schedule. Under the updated ST3 System Plan, light rail construction from SODO to Seattle Center is fully funded, with an anticipated opening date in 2042.   

While construction funding from Seattle Center to Ballard is not yet secured, the updated plan keeps the full project moving forward and provides a path to completing the entire extension by 2042. We are committed to pursuing this path and will continue to advance the full extension through environmental review and final design while working to reduce costs, increase financial capacity, and secure the remaining funding needed to reach Ballard.  

Learn more about this timeline update in our Platform post  

 

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.  

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Visit our detailed online open house to learn more and stay current with the Ballard Link Extension project progress.

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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 2042.*

*The full Ballard Link Extension from Chinatown-International District to Market Street in Ballard could open at the same time as the fully funded segment to Seattle Center by 2042, if Sound Transit can further reduce project costs, increase financial capacity, and secure the remaining construction funding need to construct the entire project. 

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.