The Sound Transit Board of Directors on Thursday approved a major funding package to advance two of the region’s most anticipated light rail projects, signaling a commitment to momentum even as the agency grapples with long-term affordability challenges.

The board passed Resolution R2026-14, which authorizes approximately $423.3 million in budget amendments specifically for the West Seattle and Ballard Link extensions. This move follows the recent adoption of an updated regional system plan and aims to move both projects through critical design and planning phases.

West Seattle Moves Toward Construction

The lion’s share of the new funding, roughly $406.9 million, is dedicated to the West Seattle Link Extension. This amendment provides the necessary budget authority to advance the project into final design and prepare for construction.

Key components of the West Seattle allocation include:

• $286.5 million for a phase two engineering design services contract with Jacobs Engineering Group.
• $32.4 million for program management support.
• $58 million for systems design, permits, and sustainability work.
• $30 million for construction services agreements with the City of Seattle and other third-party commitments.

The project, which adds 3.9 miles of service and three new stations, is being moved forward with "urgency," according to Board Chair Dave Summers.

Ballard Design Remains on Track

While the Ballard Link Extension faces more complex financial hurdles, the board approved a $16.4 million amendment to keep the project’s planning and design moving forward. This funding is entirely for program management support services to assist with environmental planning and ongoing cost-saving evaluations.

Addressing community concerns that the Ballard extension might be "sidelined" due to a $35 billion affordability gap mentioned in public testimony, board members clarified that the project remains on its original path for the immediate future.

"Ballard Link is not dead," emphasized Board Member Girmay Zahalai. Staff confirmed that the current funding allows for environmental clearing and design for the entire alignment all the way to Market Street, maintaining the same trajectory the project would have had regardless of recent affordability votes.

Record Ridership and Financial Management

The meeting opened with a celebration of a historic milestone: Sound Transit shattered its all-time ridership record during the recent World Cup matches. On the day of the USA versus Australia match, the light rail system carried 280,000 riders without any major service disruptions or downtime.

In addition to the rail extensions, the board also approved a debt refunding action expected to save taxpayers approximately $23 million by capitalizing on favorable interest rates to refinance debt issued a decade ago.

The board also heard a presentation on a proposed fairgate pilot program for 14 stations, aimed at improving fair compliance and increasing revenue by an estimated $32 million annually after a two-to-three-year payback period.