Ballard residents are organizing a march this weekend to advocate for the inclusion of a Ballard station in Sound Transit’s light rail plans, as the agency considers scaling back the project.
The march, planned for Sunday, April 19, comes as Sound Transit evaluates changes to its expansion program to address long-term financial challenges. The agency recently presented three options to its board through its Enterprise Initiative, all of which would not extend light rail to Ballard, despite the project being approved by voters as part of Sound Transit 3 (ST3) in 2016.
“All three options would cut light rail to Ballard, which was approved by voters a decade ago. That’s completely unacceptable,” Councilmember Dan Strauss wrote in a recent newsletter.
Strauss has urged the agency to follow through on the voter-approved plans. In a statement, he said the Ballard extension is projected to serve the most riders of any project in Sound Transit history and called for a plan that maintains the connection to Ballard.
Sound Transit has said it is working to address the impacts of inflation, tariffs, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions on the project. It estimates it faces a $34.5 billion funding gap to deliver the full ST3 program. As part of a broader effort to address the long-term financial challenges, Sound Transit has launched a public survey to gather feedback from residents.
In his newsletter, Strauss highlighted the urgency to take action.
“I just want to really highlight the importance of this moment. It is critical that we finish the spine. It’s critical that we keep Issaquah going. We have to keep the pressure up for West Seattle,” he said. “But of all of that, Ballard is one of the only regional centers in this area not currently connected by light rail.”
According to organizers Save Ballard Rail, the Ballard march is intended to demonstrate community support for completing the ST3 plan as originally approved by voters. The event on April 19 is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at Gemenskap Park, with participants walking along the proposed route to the planned station location at Smith Cove.
The group is calling for the full line and all stations to be built, while also maintaining other projects included in the ST3 package.
More information about the campaign is available at saveballardrail.org.
Photo: SDOT
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