Four of the 18 members said it remains a priority to deliver the voter-approved extensions into West Seattle and Ballard.
SEATTLE — While serving on a town hall panel in Seattle on Tuesday, four Sound Transit board members vowed to ensure light rail expansion into West Seattle and Ballard becomes reality, despite the agency’s nearly $35 billion budget shortfall.
The Board of Directors is comprised of 18 community leaders, including mayors and other executives.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Seattle Concilmember Dan Strauss and King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda participated in the meeting organized by the Transportation Choices Coalition.
“I think we need to build these damn trains,” said Zahilay, a nod to a slogan used by transit advocates.
When the deficit came to light, Sound Transit admitted “if the agency does nothing to counter these rising costs, combined with lower revenue projections, completing Sound Transit’s expansion program will become unaffordable.”
Rallies have been held by advocacy groups, and an estimated 200 people showed up for Tuesday’s meeting.
“We’re really concerned we won’t get light rail in Ballard. We voted for it, we’re paying for it. For me, it’s important to have access to the system that’s expanding throughout the region,” said Jonatan Gonzalez.
Jan Edrozo represents the Filipino Community of Seattle, a partner of the Southend Transit Justice Coalition.
The group has been fighting to save the long-awaited Graham Street and Boeing Access Road stations.
“Our residents, intergenerational community members have been waiting for a closer light rail station. It’s one thing to see our community center and you keep going past it… I think about all the other people, not just me but the folks who can’t drive any more. We want more accessibility,” said Edrozo.
The Ballard extension was originally estimated to cost $11.2 billion, but has since grown to more than $20 billion.
The West Seattle expansion was originally estimated at $4.2 billion, the cost has nearly doubled to an estimated $8 billion.
“Despite the challenges that we’re facing right now with our funding gap, I’m actually really hopeful,” said Wilson. “I’m convinced that we have the right people at the table to make this thing work.”
The panelists said state lawmakers have signaled they’re open to revisiting legislation next session that could help close the gap.
They also suggested Sound Transit will uncover additional savings during the design process.
“We find our biggest cost savings when we complete design and get the project’s shovel ready. I don’t want to see a proposal that tables or eliminates any projects for that exact reason. We don’t want to commit ourselves to a position now before we’ve even fully explored what costs savings we can have,” said Zahilay.
Despite the optimistic tone from the panel, attendees weren’t 100% convinced.
“I feel like I’m sitting on… let’s see what happens,” said Gonzalez.
The Board of Directors will discuss expansion plans at their meeting on Thursday, May 7.
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