(The Center Square) – Sitting $34.5 billion over budget, Sound Transit officials say they are committed to delivering the full voter-approved ST3 plan, despite talks of punting several projects down the road.
The organization’s executive committee considered a proposal Thursday that would fully fund some projects, partially fund others, and leave several commitments unfunded until the agency identifies additional resources.
Voters approved ST3 in 2016, launching a 25-year regional transit expansion initially pegged at $53.6 billion, with recent estimates increasing that figure by roughly $34.5 billion, 64% of the original price.
“There is no version of this plan that doesn’t involve trade-offs, and I don’t pretend otherwise, but I want to be clear, nothing in this proposal represents a decision to permanently defer or eliminate what voters approved,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said when opening Thursday’s meeting.
Sound Transit has committed to rolling back the tax hikes tied to ST3 after construction wraps up, but critics question whether it will keep that promise after multiple delays, budget gaps and mission creep.
The Sound Transit Board will consider extending the financial plan from 2046 through 2052 on May 28.
Chief Financial Officer Hughey Newsome said the plan includes up to $13 billion in capital savings that Sound Transit will need to identify later if it intends to finish ST3, as well as $8 billion in other savings.
“A year ago, I thought I’d get my station in 2039 for $11 billion; a month ago, it was sometime after 2046 for $22 billion, and now, sometime after 2052. I’m 27 years old. Tell me, am I getting my station in my lifetime?” Carl Aslund, a transit advocate and organizer for Save Ballard Rail, testified Thursday.
Somers, who chairs the committee, attributed much of the $34.5 billion gap over the next two decades to rising highway construction costs, which have increased 70% since 2020, according to federal data.
Agency staff argued Thursday that no ST3 projects were being eliminated in the proposal, they were just being pushed back.
Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine suggested ridership is growing and that there’s demand for future expansions, even as taxpayers continue funding projects decades behind schedule.
According to Sound Transit data, ridership has increased since it tanked in 2020 during the pandemic; however, with 41.9 million boardings in 2024, overall system use remains only 88% of its 2019 level.
Thursday’s proposal breaks down ST3 projects into four tables: fully funded, partially funded or funded through planning & design, not affordable with existing means, and deferred until funding is identified.
“If you fail, trust in this board will be lost forever,” David Scott, board chair of Seattle Subway, testified.
Fully funded projects include: West Seattle Link, without Avalon Station; Tacoma Dome Link; Everett Link, phases 1 and 2; Ballard initial segment to Seattle Center; T Line to Tacoma Community College in 2043; South Kirkland-to-Issaquah Link in 2050, and three operational and maintenance facilities.
Partially funded projects include: Ballard Link; Boeing Access Road and Graham Street Infill Stations; Sounder South trips; Sounder to DuPont; Regional Parking Fund; Express Bus Base and ST4 studies.
Projects with construction not currently affordable include: Ballard Link from Seattle Center to Market Street; Boeing Access Road Infill Station; Graham Street; various Sounder projects and ST4 planning.
Deferred projects include: Tacoma Dome Link parking; Everett Link parking; Stride parking; North Sammamish Park & Ride; Edmonds/Mukilteo parking and access; bus-on-shoulder project; SR 162 improvements; Sounder South platform extensions, and Sounder South access improvements.
Many of the projects don’t include a projected completion date, so Kristina Walker, who sits on the Tacoma City Council, asked Sound Transit staff to return with more information on those timelines.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson suggested that, in addition to cost savings, Sound Transit should continue to pursue state legislation to allow the agency to issue general obligation bonds repaid over 75 years.
Bonds are typically limited to 20 to 40 years. Critics have argued that extending repayment to 75 years could mean that many people who voted for certain projects will die before the projects are completed.
A longer repayment period would also come with billions of dollars more in interest that taxpayers would have to pay.
The Executive Committee agreed to host another special meeting on May 14, ahead of the Board of Directors’ vote on May 28, to continue Thursday’s discussion and to take additional public testimony.
“There are trade-offs, real trade-offs that all of us are contending with,” Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello said Thursday.
“No one is left unscathed, but we’re all committed to building out the full ST3 plan.”
