Following extensive input from the public and local governments across the region, the Sound Transit Board identified the projects that will be studied as potential candidates for a November 2016 Sound Transit 3 ballot measure.
Results of studies completed during the coming months will help the board decide which of the projects should be included in a draft ballot measure for more public input early next year. The candidate projects are listed here.
Sound Transit 3 will respond to the strong support across the region for additional mass transit expansions as the region’s population grows by an estimated 1 million residents through 2040. The projected growth is equivalent to adding the current combined populations of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett.
In June and July, Sound Transit received thousands of written comments and survey responses on which projects from the regional transit Long-Range Plan represent the highest priorities. A total of 1,025 people submitted written comments at meetings across the region and by e-mail and mail and more than 70 local governments and organizations sent comment letters. The nearly 25,000 people who took a non-scientific online survey more than doubled the response to 2014 public involvement that guided board actions to update the Long-Range Plan.
Public input reflected strong continuing support for priorities including but not limited to extensions of light-rail to Everett, Tacoma and downtown Redmond; light-rail extensions to Seattle’s Ballard and West Seattle areas and an array of other potential investments including additional light-rail extensionsand Sounder commuter rail services and facilities.
Each of the identified candidate projects will be studied to generate estimates of ridership, capital operating and maintenance costs; travel times and reliability; potential for transit-oriented development and other factors including benefits, needs and potential risks.
