About the Ballard Link Extension

The Ballard Link Extension (BLE) will provide fast, reliable light rail connections to dense residential and job centers in the Chinatown-International District (CID), Downtown, Interbay, and Ballard neighborhoods. In addition, a new downtown Seattle light rail tunnel will provide capacity for the entire regional system to operate efficiently. The BLE is part of the regional transit system expansion approved by voters in November 2016.

Ballard Link Extension

  • Adds 7.7 miles of light rail service from downtown Seattle to the Ballard neighborhood, including a new downtown Seattle rail-only tunnel.
  • Includes nine new stations from Chinatown-International District to Ballard.
  • Start of service scheduled for 2039.

Ballard Link Extension project timeline

2016 Voter Approval  

  • Alternatives development 
  • ST Board identifies preferred and other WSBLE Draft EIS alternatives 
  • WSBLE Draft EIS and public comment period 
  • BLE Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Late 2024)
  • ST Board confirms or modifies the BLE Preferred Alternative (Early 2025)
  • BLE Final Environmental Impact Statement (Early 2026)
  • ST Board selects BLE project to be built (Mid-2026)
  • Federal Transit Administration issues Record of Decision on BLE (Mid-2026)
  • Procure final design and construction contracts
  • Obtain land use and construction permits
  • Begin property acquisition / relocation
  • Advance utility relocation / early work contracts
  • Demolition and clearing where necessary to build and operate the light rail guideway
  • Earth work such as stormwater systems, column footings, retaining walls and tunneling
  • Guideway and station construction
  • Ongoing conversations with anyone affected by construction
  • Safety education
  • Testing and preparations

2039 Start of Service

*At this time, we're working with our federal partners to understand the timeline of our ongoing environmental review phase. The BLE project timeline will be updated when additional information is available.

The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) were evaluated together in the WSBLE Draft EIS published in January 2022. As described in the WSBLE Draft EIS, the two extensions will function as two separate lines, with the West Seattle Link Extension (WSLE) connecting to Everett and the Ballard Link Extension (BLE) connecting to Tacoma.

The extensions were initially on the same environmental review timeline. However, given additional environmental review needed for project refinements for BLE resulting from the Sound Transit Board action in March 2023 and July 2023, environmental review for the two extensions will now proceed on different timelines.

WSLE will proceed to a Final EIS, which is anticipated to be published in 2024, while a new Draft EIS will be completed for BLE. The BLE alternatives will be updated, including analysis of the preferred alternative and other refinements and alternatives identified in the March 2023 Board Motion and July 2023 Board Motion. The new BLE Draft EIS will build upon and incorporate the existing work to date on the WSBLE Draft EIS including all previous scoping comments, public outreach and feedback and environmental analysis. The BLE environmental review timeline will be updated when it is available.

Ballard Link Extension project map

Preferred and other alternatives we are currently evaluating.
Preferred and other alternatives we are currently evaluating.

Stay engaged!

Get upcoming project news and public involvement opportunities.

Join us! CID Info Sessions

In preparation for the upcoming Ballard Link Extension (BLE) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), we are holding a series of information sessions through 2024 for the Chinatown International District (CID) and Pioneer Square communities. We are exploring topics and questions you expressed an interest in over the course of the environmental review process.

CID Info Sessions Poster

Past Info Session Materials

Session #2 - Regional and Local Access

Learn how future riders will access key destinations, transfer between light rail lines and other transit modes based on different CID and Midtown station scenarios.

Briefing books:

Videos:

*Vietnamese and Spanish closed captions are also available.

Session #1 – Equity

Learn how equity analysis, engagement tools, and community feedback inform project development and decision milestones.

Briefing books:

South Downtown Hub

On Nov. 15, 2023, and Feb. 28, 2024, Sound Transit hosted South Downtown Hub Open House for the public to learn more and share your ideas on opportunities to support and connect the South Downtown neighborhoods of Chinatown-International District (CID) and Pioneer Square, including the planning of new light rail stations.

Weren't able to attend? Learn more by reading our meeting materials below.

Nov. 15, 2023 Open House

Feb. 28, 2024 Workshop

Preferred alternative for the Ballard Link Extension

Chinatown-International District

  • Dearborn Street Alternative (formerly South of CID).

Downtown

  • Midtown Station: shifts the Midtown station south with pedestrian tunnel connection to the existing Pioneer Square Station location (formerly North of CID).
  • Westlake Station: incorporates the Westlake Station (DT-1) Entrance Consolidation.
  • Denny Station: Westlake Avenue Shifted North.
  • South Lake Union Station: includes South Lake Union/Harrison Street (DT-1) Draft EIS Station. 
  • Seattle Center Station: incorporates Republican West refinement.

South Interbay

  • Follows the Modified Galer Street Station/Central Interbay (SIB-1) Alignment, including a tunnel portal from the Downtown segment at Republican Street and an elevated Galer Street Smith Cove Station.

Interbay/Ballard

  • Includes an Interbay Station shifted south to straddle below Dravus Street, a tunnel beneath Salmon Bay, and a tunnel Ballard Station east of 15th Avenue NW south of NW Market Street.

In addition to the Ballard Link Extension preferred alternative, all BLE alternatives that were studied in the WSBLE Draft EIS, as well other alternatives and refinements identified in March 2023 Board motion, will be studied in the BLE Draft EIS. In July 2023, the Board modified the preferred location for the Denny Station for the BLE. For details, view the July 2023 Board Motion. To learn more about project updates presented to the Board, view the South Lake Union webinar presentation

Visit our South Downtown Hub online open house to learn more and share your ideas on opportunities to support and connect the South Downtown neighborhoods of Chinatown-International District (CID) and Pioneer Square, including the planning of new light rail stations

Previous station planning work

Sound Transit, the City of Seattle, King County Metro and other agency partners, such as the Port of Seattle, worked throughout 2020 and 2021 to evaluate the WSBLE Draft EIS station alternatives and offer ideas and recommendations in response to the community priorities we heard. This work is summarized in a Station Planning Progress Report that we published alongside the WSBLE Draft EIS to help communities understand the opportunities and challenges of the different alternatives. Please note that we continue to refine the preliminary design and location of stations as part of the environmental review process. We anticipate future opportunities to engage around station planning as the project progresses.

Check out the Station Planning Progress Report – Ballard Link Extension (62 MB) for more details.

November 2016: Sound Transit 3 voter approved

  • Sound Transit 3 (ST3) is approved by voters. This plan includes adding 62 new miles of light rail, totaling more than 116 miles with over 80 stations added to the region. Part of this plan includes the West Seattle Link and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) projects, other projects like the bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on the Eastside, additional capacity for the Sounder South line, and access improvements to stations for all modes of travel.

2017 – 2019: WSBLE Alternatives Development

  • October 2017: West Seattle Link and Ballard Link Extensions project kicks off the planning phase of the project. The phase is part of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) environmental review process.
  • January 2018: Sound Transit hosts the first Stakeholder Advisory Group  and Elected Leadership Group meetings to introduce the project and share what to expect for the alternatives development phase.
  • February – March 2018: Sound Transit hosts early scoping open houses and a comment period to collect public feedback on the ST3 representative project and gather new ideas to inform development of additional route and station location alternatives.
  • March 2018 – April 2019: Sound Transit develops and refines alternatives based on technical evaluations, as well as feedback from the public, Stakeholder Advisory Group, Elected Leadership Group, and Sound Transit Board of Directors. The project goes through three levels of evaluation between early scoping and scoping to help further refine alternatives.
  • February – March 2019: Sound Transit hosts scoping open houses and a comment period to collect public feedback on the alternatives to date and topics to study in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
  • May 2019: The Sound Transit Board reviews the alternatives, evaluation results, public feedback, and the recommendations of the Elected Leadership Group and identifies the preferred alternative and other alternatives to study in the WSBLE Draft EIS.
  • May – October 2019:  The Sound Transit Board directs staff to conduct initial assessments on additional route and station options that were suggested during the public scoping period, to establish whether further study in the WSBLE Draft EIS is appropriate.

2019 – 2023 WSBLE Draft Environmental Impact Statement

  • May 2019 – December 2021: Sound Transit develops the WSBLE Draft EIS, a document that describes the multiple alternatives being considered, and how each alternative might affect the natural and built environment and transportation systems, both during construction and final operation of the light rail lines.
  • November 2019 – January 2020: Sound Transit conducts extensive engagement efforts to gather public feedback regarding WSBLE Station Planning. Sound Transit hosts neighborhood forums and community briefings throughout the project corridor.
  • November 2021 – May 2022: Sound Transit kicks off Community Advisory Groups to review and discuss WSBLE Draft EIS findings with community members throughout the corridor. Meetings are online and open to the public.
  • January 2022 – April 2022: The Draft EIS is published for a 90-day public review and comment period. Comments are accepted via email, mail, voicemail, comment form, at a virtual public hearing, or an in-person open house. All the details can be found here. Sound Transit receives over 5000 comments. Additionally, in partnership with the City of Seattle and King County, Sound Transit publishes the WSBLE Station Planning Progress Report alongside the WSBLE Draft EIS to help communities understand the opportunities and challenges of the different alternatives.
  • July 2022: After reviewing the Draft EIS and the comments from Tribes, the public and agency partners, the Sound Transit Board identifies the preferred alternative for the West Seattle Link Extension (WSLE) and requested further studies for the Ballard Link Extension (BLE).  Read the July 2022 Board Motion and press release for more information.
  • August 2022 – March 2023: Sound Transit conducts further studies that included six workshops and open houses and three online surveys for WSBLE. For an overview of the further studies conducted for both extensions and the results, read the Further Studies Executive Summary and reports.
  • March and July 2023: The Sound Transit Board identifies a preferred alternative for the BLE. Refinements to WSLE alternatives from the further studies are being incorporated into the WSLE Final EIS. Read the March Board Motion, July Board Motion, and press release for more information.
  • September 2023: Given additional environmental review needed for project refinements for BLE resulting from the Sound Transit Board action in March 2023, environmental review for the WSLE and BLE projects proceed on different timelines.

2023 – 2026: Ballard Link Extension (BLE)’s Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement

  • 2023 – 2024: Sound Transit and FTA will begin development of a Draft EIS for BLE.
  • December 2023: The Sound Transit Board directs Sound Transit staff to conduct a feasibility study of a new alternative location in the area of 5th Avenue North and Harrison for the South Lake Union (SLU) Station. Read the Board Motion for more information.

WSBLE Draft EIS

The WSBLE projects were evaluated together in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which was published on Jan. 28, 2022, followed by a 90-day public comment period. The WSBLE Draft EIS was developed to help Sound Transit, as well as partner agencies and the public, better understand the potential effects of the projects, evaluate potential impacts and benefits of the alternatives on the natural and built environment and transportation system, and identify potential mitigation measures.

In July 2022, after reviewing the WSBLE Draft EIS and the comments from Tribes, the public and agency partners, the Sound Transit Board identified the preferred alternative for the WSLE and requested further study for the BLE. Read the July 2022 press release and Board Motion for more information.

After a period of further studies from August 2022 to February 2023, the Sound Transit Board identified a preferred alternative for the Ballard Link Extension. Read the March 2023 Board Motion and press release and July Board Motion for more information.

The extensions were initially on the same environmental review timeline. However, given additional environmental review needed for project refinements for BLE resulting from the Sound Transit Board action in March 2023, environmental review for the two extensions will now proceed on different timelines.

The WSLE will proceed to a Final EIS, which is anticipated to be published in 2024, a new Draft EIS will be completed for BLE, reflecting action by the Sound Transit Board in March 2023. The BLE alternatives will be updated, including analysis of the preferred alternative, as well as other refinements and alternatives identified in March 2023 and July 2023 Board Motion. The new BLE Draft EIS will build upon and incorporate the existing work to date on the WSBLE Draft EIS including all previous scoping comments, public outreach and feedback and environmental analysis. The BLE environmental review timeline will be updated when it is available.

We'll adjust our engagement efforts for each extension, based on upcoming milestones for each project. For information about ongoing environmental review, visit the West Seattle Link Extension project page and the Ballard Link Extension project page.

Want to take another look at the WSBLE Draft EIS?

While the formal public comment period is now closed, you can still explore the Draft EIS. The Executive Summary provides an overview of the Draft EIS. It condenses the larger Draft EIS to help readers quickly become acquainted with the project.

WSBLE Draft EIS Executive Summary

You can view the entire WSBLE Draft EIS document online. 

*After the WSBLE Draft EIS was published in January 2022, the Sound Transit Board identified different preferred alternatives than what are shown in the WSBLE Draft EIS. To learn more, visit the West Seattle Link Extension project page and the Ballard Link Extension project page

Chapter 1

States what problems the project will address and why the investment in this transit project is needed.

Chapter 2

Describes the alternatives evaluated in the Draft EIS, including alignment and station locations, how they will be constructed, and how long construction will take.

Chapter 3

Presents analysis of the existing transportation system in the project area and discusses potential impacts of the alternatives to regional facilities and travel and transit operations. Discusses ridership and travel times for each alternative as well as parking impacts in addition to pedestrian and bicyclist access at each station area.

Chapter 4

Discusses the affected environment and environmental consequences of the project.

Chapter 5

Describes the project’s effects on a particular resource, combined with past, present and future effects of other projects. The cumulative impact assessment can identify consequences that might not be apparent when the project is considered in isolation.

Chapter 6

Evaluates how the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions alternatives meet the project’s purpose and need. It also summarizes the benefits and impacts of each alternative.

*Appendix I is reserved for the mitigation plan and will be included in the Final EIS.

Equity and inclusion

Sound Transit is committed to centering communities along the project corridor and engaging communities of color and low-income and other vulnerable populations throughout the public involvement process. During the environmental review process, Sound Transit conducted an environmental justice analysis, which is included in the WSBLE Draft EIS. The analysis:

  • Describes the demographics of the project corridor.
  • Evaluates whether the projects would result in disproportionately high and adverse effects to communities of color and low-income communities.
  • Considers potential project benefits such as improved access to opportunity.
  • Documents our efforts to involve communities of color and low-income populations in the planning process and what we have heard so far from outreach efforts.

Along with the Draft EIS environmental justice analysis, Sound Transit and the City of Seattle have partnered on the Racial Equity Toolkit (RET) process for the projects. The RET lays out a process and a set of questions to guide the development, implementation and evaluation of the projects to advance racial equity. The RET process began early in project development, informing data analysis, technical evaluation and the focus and extent of community engagement. During the environmental review phase, the RET builds on the environmental justice assessment for the projects, documenting potential project impacts and benefits, and community feedback. However, given that the RET process is guided by a different framework than the EIS environmental justice requirements, the report on the RET process and findings is structured differently, and is oriented around RET outcomes for the projects. Our RET report on the process, requirements, outcomes, findings and community feedback is available for your reference.

Further Studies

Overview

A person participating in a stickering exercise at a CID workshop.

In July 2022, the Sound Transit Board directed the project team to complete additional further studies. Staff held community workshops, open houses, stakeholder meetings and surveys between September 2022 and January 2023.

For an overview of the further studies conducted for both extensions and the results, read the Further Studies Executive Summary and reports or the Further Studies Engagement Summary. Descriptions and key findings for each further study are included below by segment. 

Property Owners

In order to build the Ballard Link Extension project, Sound Transit will need to purchase and use private property. In some cases, this means moving people from their homes or businesses.

Sound Transit’s property acquisition process treats affected property owners and tenants fairly, provides appropriate Just Compensation and relocation benefits and minimizes hardships with all parties involved. We realize that the possibility of being relocated from your home or business may be difficult and we are here to answer questions and provide support throughout the process.

Sound Transit has specific policies and procedures that describe how the agency will work with property owners and tenants throughout the acquisition process. We follow federal, state and local laws in our property acquisition process, more specifically the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act, as well as state law.

Property acquisition milestones

Pre-Draft EIS publication

  • Sound Transit contacts potentially affected property owners 

Draft EIS publication

  • Draft EIS available for public review and comments 
  • Sound Transit Board confirms or modifies the preferred alternative based on comments from the public, agency partners and Tribes 

Final EIS publication

  • Sound Transit Board selects projects to be built

Final Design

  • Sound Transit identifies property rights needed to construct, operate and maintain the system
  • Sound Transit Board authorizes property purchases
  • Sound Transit will prepare an appraisal to determine fair market value of property needed for the projects
  • Sound Transit will provide relocation assistance to people and businesses displaced by the projects, including referrals to comparable properties and payment of moving costs
  • Sound Transit staff are available to support property owners and tenants through this process

Without concrete decisions until the release of Final EIS, we know this period of uncertainty can be stressful and are here to help. If you have additional questions or would like to set up a virtual meeting, contact our outreach team at ballardlink@soundtransit.org or 206-903-7223.

Need more info?

For more information about property acquisition and relocation, please refer to the following resources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Potentially affected property owners are notified prior to the release of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Being a potentially affected property owner means that your property is close to one or more alternatives we are currently studying. This notification of potential impact does not mean a decision has been made to purchase your property.

Notification that your property is potentially affected does not mean a decision has been made to purchase your property. But it does mean there’s a possibility Sound Transit may need to acquire all or a portion of your property at a later project phase. As we refine project design, we’ll continue updating our list of potentially affected properties. We won’t make final determinations on which properties to purchase until after a Final EIS and the Sound Transit Board selects the projects to be built.

Residential relocation
For residential property owners and tenants, Sound Transit provides three primary types of relocation assistance: advisory assistance, moving expenses and replacement housing payments. A qualified relocation specialist will work with displaced residents to determine needs, explain benefits, and provide referrals to current housing inventories as well as assistance and advice with filing claims.

Business relocation
Sound Transit provides three primary types of relocation assistance: advisory assistance, moving expenses and business reestablishment expenses. The level of benefits and advisory services may be different for each displaced business depending on complexity of the business operation.

After the Sound Transit Board has selected the projects to be built and the Federal Transit Administration has issued a Record of Decision, the Board will authorize property purchases along the final project corridors. Several steps will take place before this authorization can occur, including:

  • Preparing property information to inform the Sound Transit Board’s authorization.
  • Identifying the type of acquisition (i.e., full or partial acquisition, temporary or permanent easement).
  • Officially notifying property owners that their property is being considered for acquisition by the Sound Transit Board and providing the date of the meeting at which the Board will consider authorizing acquisitions. Staff will notify property owners in advance of the Sound Transit Board meeting date where property acquisition will be discussed followed by an opportunity to provide public comments on the matter.

After authorization by the Sound Transit Board, Sound Transit will begin the property acquisition process, which follows these steps:

  1. Appraisal is conducted by an independent appraiser to determine fair market value.
  2. Appraisal is reviewed by a second appraiser for compliance with proper methodology and appropriate value conclusions.
  3. Sound Transit prepares an offer package and delivers it to the property owner to review and negotiate. Property owners are also provided a copy of the appraisal.
  4. Sound Transit negotiates to purchase the property.
  5. Sound Transit may also reimburse for some or all of the following:
    1. Owner’s own appraisal
    2. Legal review of offer
    3. Accounting review for tax purposes
  6. For people and businesses displaced by the projects, a relocation agent will meet with the property owner to explain relocation assistance, eligibility and entitlements.

Q: What is the average timeframe from the offer to closure of sale?
A: While each acquisition is unique, most processes can take anywhere between 12-18 months to complete.

Q: Does Sound Transit pay closing costs?
A: Sound Transit will pay for all normal sale expenses including escrow fees, title insurance, pre-payment penalties, mortgage release fee, recording fees and all typical costs related to conveying title. The sale will be exempt from real estate excise tax.

Q: If my house does have to be acquired and I have to relocate, am I able to stay in the same school district or buy a similar home?
A: Sound Transit will make every effort to find comparable properties within the desired market.

Q: Is there a geographical boundary limit for relocation?
A: No, there is no geographical limit on where you can move. Sound Transit will pay moving expenses within a 50-mile range.

Q: If there is a long delay between acquisition and when construction starts, will there be empty houses in neighborhoods for several years?
A: While acquisitions are tied to the project schedule, it is possible that homes could be vacated prior to construction starting. If that occurs, Sound Transit will take appropriate measures to secure the properties until demolition can take place.


A Link light rail train travels over a roadway on an elevated track with Mt. Rainier in the background.
The alternatives reviewed within the WSBLE Draft EIS included both underground and elevated tracks like the one above.

Get involved

There are multiple opportunities to get engaged with the projects.

Stay engaged

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Follow us on social media @SoundTransit

Contact us

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Call the project line at 206-903-7223 to speak with a community engagement specialist
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Email with questions, concerns or comments: ballardlink@soundtransit.org
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Your input is vital to the success of the projects.