Regional elected leaders used a Transportation Choices Coalition (TCC) forum Monday night to deliver a unified message amid Sound Transit’s deepening financial crisis: the West Seattle and Ballard Link extensions will move forward despite a projected multibillion‑dollar shortfall.

The event, held in Seattle and attended by roughly 200 community members, brought together Sound Transit Board members and local officials to address growing public concern over the agency’s nearly $35 billion funding gap and the escalating costs of its two largest Seattle projects.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss, and King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda each reiterated that the voter‑approved ST3 expansion remains a priority — and that abandoning the West Seattle or Ballard lines is not under consideration.

“We need to build these trains,” Zahilay said, drawing applause from the audience. His remark quickly became the defining line of the evening, capturing the political urgency surrounding the projects.

Cost Pressures Take Center Stage

Sound Transit’s most recent estimates show the Ballard Link Extension rising from $11.2 billion to more than $20 billion, while the West Seattle Link Extension has climbed from $4.2 billion to roughly $8 billion. The agency has warned that without new revenue or major cost reductions, the full ST3 program is no longer financially viable.

Officials at the forum acknowledged the severity of the challenge but urged the public not to interpret the updated numbers as a sign that the projects are in jeopardy.

Several board members emphasized that final design work typically produces significant cost savings, suggesting that current estimates may come down as engineering advances.

Legislative Action Expected in 2027

Speakers also signaled that state lawmakers are preparing to revisit Sound Transit’s revenue authority during the next legislative session. While no specific proposals were outlined, officials described the discussions as active and necessary to keep the expansion on track.

“We’re going to need Olympia at the table,” Mosqueda said, noting that the scale of the shortfall exceeds what the agency can resolve through internal cuts alone.

Community Pressure Remains High

Public testimony at the event highlighted concerns about equity, accessibility, and the long‑delayed promise of rapid transit in Seattle neighborhoods. Several speakers pointed to the Graham Street and Boeing Access Road stations — long‑promised but still unbuilt — as examples of why communities are wary of further delays.

Others expressed frustration that taxpayers have been contributing to ST3 for years without seeing construction begin on the core Seattle extensions.

What Comes Next

While the May 5 meeting did not produce a new funding plan, it did produce something politically significant: a public, on‑record commitment from key Sound Transit leaders that the West Seattle and Ballard lines will not be cut.

The agency is expected to present updated financial scenarios later this year, followed by a more detailed discussion of potential revenue options in early 2027.