The agency’s proposal keeps several major Link expansion projects fully funded, including key expansions to West Seattle, Ballard, and Tacoma.
SEATTLE — Sound Transit released its clearest plan yet Thursday to address a $34.5 billion funding gap threatening major light rail expansion projects, including planned extensions to Tacoma and West Seattle.
The agency proposed deferring parking investments tied to several regional transit projects as part of broader cost-saving measures.
Those deferred investments include parking associated with the Tacoma Dome Link, Everett Link and Stride bus rapid transit projects, along with parking and access projects in Edmonds, Mukilteo and north Sammamish.
“This affordable ST3 capital program also establishes a regional parking fund of approximately $100 million, recognizing that the vast majority of funding for parking investment ends up in the deferred category,” Deputy CEO Brooke Belman said during Thursday’s presentation.
“While there will be details to sort out for how this fund will work, the general expectation is that it can help support creative opportunities to deliver parking in those locations where investments are deferred,” Belman continued.
Sound Transit Chief Financial Officer Hughey Newsome said the agency has already identified between $11 billion and $13 billion in capital cost reductions and delivery efficiencies.
Additional proposed changes include delaying the South Kirkland-to-Issaquah project until 2050 and discontinuing Sounder North service in 2033. Officials said those changes are intended to help keep other voter-approved projects moving forward.
The agency’s proposal keeps several major Link expansion projects in the fully funded category, including the Tacoma Dome Access Improvements Project, the West Seattle Link extension without Avalon Station, the Tacoma Dome Link extension, the first phase of the Everett Link extension, and an initial Ballard Link segment through Seattle Center.
“The thing that is of highest priority for me in the process is that we are getting shovels in the ground as soon as possible,” Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said. “We are delivering light rail to West Seattle as our shovel ready project. That we are getting to final design on Ballard, on those infill stations, that we are completing the spine from Everett to Tacoma. Like, we need to do it all.”
Executive Committee Chair Dave Somers said the funding gap has forced difficult decisions but emphasized the agency is not abandoning projects approved by voters.
“There is no version of this plan that doesn’t involve trade-offs, and I don’t pretend otherwise, but I want to be clear, nothing in this proposal represents a decision to permanently defer or eliminate what voters approved,” Somers said.
Sound Transit is expected to present a full report on public feedback and potentially take action on the proposal during its May 28 board meeting.
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