Sound Transit Targets 2042 Ballard Link Opening if It Secures $1 Billion by 2030
Updated
Updated · KOMO News · Jul 31
Sound Transit Targets 2042 Ballard Link Opening if It Secures $1 Billion by 2030
3 articles · Updated · KOMO News · Jul 31
Summary
$18.1 billion in the updated ST3 plan fully funds Ballard Link from Chinatown-International District to Seattle Center, while Sound Transit set a conditional 2042 opening for the full Market Street extension.
Three milestones now govern that timeline: find about $1 billion in savings or added financial capacity by 2030, finish final design by 2032, and secure all construction funding by 2033.
2042 is already three years later than the prior 2039 estimate because of station location changes, a revised construction schedule and a longer environmental review.
2060 is the fallback for service to Smith Cove, Interbay and Market Street if the agency cannot meet those targets and must rely only on existing revenues.
The plan is part of Sound Transit's effort to keep voter-approved ST3 projects moving despite a projected $35 billion funding gap over the next 25 years.