Sound Transit has outlined the funding and project milestones required to extend Seattle’s Ballard Link light rail line to Market Street by 2042, warning that the northern section could otherwise be delayed until around 2060.
The agency’s revised ST3 System Plan currently provides funding for construction of the Ballard Link Extension from Chinatown-International District to Seattle Center, with this section expected to open in 2042. The plan also provides funding to continue design work for the remainder of the route to Market Street in Ballard, but does not yet fund its construction.
Sound Transit said the full Chinatown-International District to Market Street extension could still open in 2042 if further cost reductions are achieved and additional financial capacity is secured over the next seven years.
The Sound Transit Board adopted the updated ST3 System Plan on 28 May following work to address a projected 35 billion USD funding gap across the agency’s programme over the next 25 years.
Under the revised plan, 18.1 billion USD is allocated to the Ballard Link corridor. This includes construction to Seattle Center and 300 million USD to complete design of the extension to Market Street.
Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said:The Sound Transit Board has been clear: Our commitment is to deliver the full Sound Transit 3 program that voters approved, including extending light rail all the way to Ballard.
While today’s financial realities require us to be disciplined and strategic, they do not change our commitment. By continuing design and environmental work on the full Ballard project, we’re preserving the path to complete the extension while aggressively pursuing cost savings, new funding opportunities, and every available tool to make it a reality. The Board is committed to keeping our promise to the public and delivering the full regional transit system envisioned in ST3.
The agency has identified three financial and project milestones that it says will determine whether the full route can open in 2042.
By 2030, Sound Transit needs to identify approximately 1 billion USD in additional savings or financial capacity to begin acquiring property between Seattle Center and Market Street. Final design is then scheduled to be completed by 2032, providing an updated assessment of the project’s costs.
By 2033, the agency says it must have secured the funding required to construct the complete extension if it is to retain a 2042 opening date.
Sound Transit is considering a combination of further cost reductions and additional sources of financial capacity. Options include longer bond terms, increased debt capacity, revenue generated from development around stations, third-party funding and permitting reforms intended to shorten construction schedules.
The agency said it has already identified around 3 billion USD in savings for the Ballard Link Extension and will continue reviewing its design and construction approach.
It pointed to the separate West Seattle Link Extension, where it says between 2.2 billion USD and 2.6 billion USD in savings have been identified as the project has progressed towards final design.
The 2042 opening date for the funded section to Seattle Center is later than the previous 2039 schedule. Sound Transit attributed the change to revised station locations, an updated construction programme and a longer environmental review process.
The proposed Ballard Link Extension would continue north from Seattle Center through Smith Cove and Interbay before reaching Market Street in Ballard.
Sound Transit said that if sufficient savings or additional financial capacity cannot be found and the agency instead has to wait for existing revenues to accumulate, service to Smith Cove, Interbay and Market Street could be postponed until around 2060.
The agency will now continue environmental review and design work for the entire corridor while seeking the additional funding required to construct the section beyond Seattle Center.
