Upcoming meetings to review Ballard Link light rail extension project

Meghan Walker Ballard

The plan to extend Seattle’s light rail network to Ballard is slowly creeping along, with a couple of upcoming presentations for the public to learn more about the project and offer feedback.

Sound Transit has started a new National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping process for the light rail extension project, which would add 7.7 miles of service with nine new stations from downtown Seattle to Ballard.

In 2019, Sound Transit conducted a scoping process for what was then the combined West Seattle and Ballard Link Extension project, but the two extension projects have since been separated. That’s why they’re going through another scoping process that only includes Ballard—the West Seattle Link Extension will remain its own project

So, Sound Transit now has to develop a new NEPA draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and Supplemental State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) draft EIS for the Ballard Link Extension.

While it’s now a separate project, the new Ballard Link Extension Draft EIS will include the previously identified light rail alternatives and the public feedback Sound Transit collected from previous scoping and comment periods.

The preferred alternative, identified in March 2023, is for a tunnel under Salmon Bay just north of W Nickerson Street. The tunnel would continue east of 15th Ave NW to the Ballard Station, which would be in a tunnel east of 15th and south of NW Market St.

The upcoming meeting are here:

  • Thursday, Nov. 7, 5 – 7 p.m.; short presentation at 5:30 p.m.
    Union Station, Joni Earl Great Hall
    401 S Jackson Street
    Seattle, WA 98104
    Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese interpretation and translated materials will be available. ASL interpretation will be provided. Refreshments and activities for children will be provided. 
     
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13, 5 – 7 p.m., short presentation at 5:30 p.m.
    National Nordic Museum
    2655 NW Market Street
    Seattle, WA 98107
    ASL interpretation will be provided. Refreshments and activities for children will be provided.

Sound Transit says they are also accepting feedback via email to ballardlink@soundtransit.org or called in at 206-903-7223. Written comments can be mailed to: Ballard Link Extension, c/o Lauren Swift, Sound Transit, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104. All comments are due by Dec. 9. 2024.

Sound Transit expects the Ballard Link Extension to be in service by 2039.

Photo: Light rail station in the International District, Sound Transit