How Sound Transit 3 opening dates have slipped since 2016
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A Sound Transit light rail train pulls into Seattle's Westlake Station. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios
Not a single light rail line that Puget Sound voters approved in 2016 is on track to open on time.
Why it matters: A decade ago, voters approved Sound Transit 3, a transit expansion plan that was projected to cost $54 billion and be completed by 2041. That timeline has now slipped to 2052 — and a key light rail connection to Ballard has no set opening date.
Catch up quick: The Sound Transit board voted last month to delay construction of some projects to help resolve a $35 billion budget shortfall.
- Rising construction costs and inflation have been major drivers of the budget crunch, according to agency officials.
- The 2016 ballot measure relied on a mix of sales taxes, car tab fees, property taxes and bonds.
Here's a look at what the Sound Transit 3 plan (ST3) promised voters in 2016 and how those timelines have changed.
Ballard
ST3 originally planned to open light rail to Ballard in 2035, with the line intended to reach Market Street in the center of the neighborhood. That timeline was later pushed back to 2039.
- Following last month's vote, the target date for reaching Ballard is undetermined, with the line now only funded for construction to Seattle Center.
- Sound Transit has pledged to provide a target date for reaching Market Street by Aug. 1.
West Seattle
The planned date for extending light rail to West Seattle Junction was originally 2030.
- It's now been pushed back to 2032 — and one of the stations originally promised, Avalon, has been cut to save money.
Everett
ST3 originally forecast that light rail from Lynnwood to Everett would open in 2036.
- The new plan aims to reach Paine Field in 2037, with service to downtown Everett by 2041.
Tacoma
A light rail extension to the Tacoma Dome is now scheduled to be completed in 2035 — five years later than originally projected under ST3.
- Service to Tacoma Community College, meanwhile, has shifted from opening in 2039 to 2043.
Federal Way
This project was approved by voters in 2008, but required additional funding from the 2016 ST3 ballot measure to open.
- Federal Way service began in 2025, a year later than planned under ST3.
Redmond
Service to downtown Redmond was originally promised by 2024, but didn't open until 2025.
- Riders couldn't reach Redmond from Seattle until this year due to delays opening light rail across Lake Washington via I-90.
Kirkland/Issaquah
A light rail line connecting Issaquah and Kirkland is now slated for completion in 2050 — nine years later than originally projected.
Sound Transit has also delayed other ST3 projects, including parking garages and additional Sounder commuter service.
What's next: Sound Transit officials say they'll keep looking for ways to cut costs, secure additional funding and speed up project timelines.