Public comment period begins on Ballard Link Extension

Sound Transit has started the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping process for the Ballard Link Extension. The extension will add 7.7 miles of light rail service with nine new stations from downtown Seattle to the Ballard neighborhood, including a new downtown Seattle rail-only tunnel.

Sound Transit previously conducted a scoping process and comment period in 2019 to inform the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that was published in 2022. Since then, the West Seattle and Ballard Link projects have separated, and Sound Transit is now developing a new NEPA Draft EIS and Supplemental State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Draft EIS for the Ballard Link Extension.

The new Ballard Link Extension Draft EIS will carry forward the range of alternatives and all public feedback collected from the project's earlier combined WSBLE Scoping and Draft EIS comment periods.

Community members can learn more about the project and provide additional new feedback through the Ballard Link Extension participate online site and at two public scoping meetings:

• 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.

Feedback can also be emailed 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.

Comments are due December 9.

Following the NEPA scoping process, Sound Transit will prepare the Ballard Link Extension Draft EIS in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration. Publication of the Draft EIS is expected in 2025. Start of service for the Ballard Link Extension is scheduled for 2039.

More information is available about the Ballard Link Extension can be accessed here.