Sound Transit Faces Pressure to Save 2 Light Rail Stations Amid $34.5 Billion ST3 Gap
Updated
Updated · The Urbanist · May 13
Sound Transit Faces Pressure to Save 2 Light Rail Stations Amid $34.5 Billion ST3 Gap
3 articles · Updated · The Urbanist · May 13
A May 28 board vote is drawing protests over Sound Transit’s plan to indefinitely defer the Graham Street and Boeing Access Road infill stations from its rebalanced ST3 program.
The proposed cuts are part of board chair Dave Somers’ “affordable ST3” plan to close a $34.5 billion funding gap through 2046 by prioritizing the light-rail spine and the shovel-ready West Seattle extension.
Graham Street’s backers argue the station is one of the system’s strongest equity and value cases: it would cost $175 million-$200 million, serve 4,100 daily riders, and fill a long gap between Columbia City and Othello.
Boeing Access Road would cost $425 million-$475 million and is forecast to draw 2,100 daily riders, but advocates say it is a key jobs and bus-rail connector for South King County.
Elected officials and community groups say deferring the two stations again would break long-standing promises to racially diverse, transit-dependent neighborhoods; amendments are due this week, with more public comment set for May 14.
Could new funding models or technology innovations actually save the Graham Street and Boeing Access Road stations from indefinite delay?
What deeper accountability or governance changes might ensure transit agencies deliver on promises to historically underserved communities?
Sound Transit ST3 at a Crossroads: Navigating a $34.5 Billion Shortfall and Hard Choices for Puget Sound Transit Expansion
Overview
The Sound Transit Board is set to make a pivotal decision on May 28, 2026, as it votes on the rebalanced 'affordable ST3' plan. This plan is the result of extensive efforts to refine the regional transit expansion, addressing both financial realities and community needs. The update was carefully crafted using valuable feedback from Board workshops, committee meetings, public town halls, and community engagements. Key projects like the Everett Link Extension and Tacoma Dome Link Extension are prioritized due to their lower cost increases, while the Ballard Link Extension stands out as the most expensive, shaping the Board’s strategy for an affordable and achievable transit system.