Sound Transit's Budget-Balancing Ideas All Stop Short of Delivering Rail to Ballard

Sound Transit’s board reviewed three budget-balancing scenarios on March 18, 2026, to address a $34.5 billion funding shortfall through 2046, but all three options would defer or shorten light rail service to Ballard, breaking the 2016 voter-approved promise to extend service to 15th and Market Street. The proposed approaches would either prioritize projects in active design, emphasize regional connectivity, or phase all projects, with the board planning to adopt a new ST3 plan by May 2026. Ballard Link, projected to have 90,000 to 147,000 daily riders and potentially cost over $17 billion, would terminate at either Seattle Center or Smith Cove under all scenarios.