CHOKEPOINTS

Sound Transit board passes revised ST3 plan to keep light rail expansion alive

May 28, 2026, 8:55 PM

sound transit riders pay...

A Link light rail train pulling up to a station. (Photo courtesy of the Downtown Seattle Association)

(Photo courtesy of the Downtown Seattle Association)

The Sound Transit Board of Directors has approved its revised plan for light rail expansion over the next 25 years in a 16-2 vote.

The plan revisions come as the agency faces a $34.5 billion deficit due to inflation and rising construction costs.

Thursday’s board meeting went over 6 hours. The board gave people an hour during public comment, which over 100 people signed up for, to do in person or through Zoom.

Board members say the revised plan does not cancel any work to connect all of the promised areas, like Ballard, but some areas could see delays. Delays because of affordability which is a big concern for people in Ballard, Everett, Tacoma, and other cities on the east side of King County.



©2026 Cox Media Group

Chokepoints

A photo of the northbound I-5 closure near Everett. (Photo courtesy of the Washington State Departm...

Jason Sutich

25-year-old man arrested after climbing, hanging from I-5 overpass near Everett

A 25-year-old man was arrested after climbing and hanging from an I-5 overpass near Everett, prompting officials to shut down all lanes in the area.

19 hours ago

tiger mountain sr 18 blocked...

Jason Sutich

All lanes of SR 18 reopen after semi-truck, motorcycle collision near Tiger Mountain

All lanes of SR 18 near Tiger Mountain have reopened after a semi-truck and motorcycle collision.

19 hours ago

link light rail sound transit west seattle expansion delay...

Chris Sullivan

West Seattle light rail expansion delayed another 3 years

This is not what West Seattle transit riders wanted to hear. Light rail service to the neighborhood has been delayed again.

22 hours ago

bellevue i-405 i-90 ramp close...

Jason Sutich

NB I-405 ramp to EB I-90 in Bellevue reopens hours after semi carrying garbage overturned

The northbound I-405 ramp to eastbound I-90 in Bellevue is fully blocked after a semi-truck carrying garbage overturned on the roadway.

2 days ago

Sound Transit budget deficit delays...

Chris Sullivan

Sound Transit looks to double cost of property acquisition, construction support services for West Seattle expansion

Sound Transit said it needs another $765 million to acquire property and prepare for the link extension to West Seattle, but the overall budget won't change.

2 days ago

sound transit riders pay...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Sound Transit’s radical new idea that riders should pay to ride

Discover Sound Transit's bold plan for riders to pay, set for a vote on Aug. 27. Is this common sense or a new challenge?

3 days ago

Sound Transit board passes revised ST3 plan to keep light rail expansion alive