‘Finish the Spine’: Everett Mayor and County Executive make the case for Everett Link Extension

Sound Transit faces a $34.5 billion budget shortfall over 20 years, forcing tough choices on light rail expansion. Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers are pushing the Sound Transit Board to prioritize completing the “spine” from Everett to Tacoma by May or June. Two of three proposed approaches would fully fund the Everett Link Extension (16 miles, six stations, launching 2037–2041), while major cuts loom for Seattle projects. Federal funding cuts under the Trump administration add urgency.