SNOHOMISH COUNTY, NOV. 18: Leaders across Western Washington highlighted growing concerns last week over delays and rising costs associated with the Sound Transit 3 (ST3), a 62-mile light rail expansion project connecting Tacoma to Everett.
The “Build the Damn Trains!” rally on Thursday, Nov. 13, outside Union Station in Seattle urged Sound Transit not to cancel projects and prioritize completion amid ongoing budget concerns.
Speakers at the event pointed to mounting public frustration, noting that reliable transit is central to economic opportunity for businesses and the local workforce, Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) said in a press release.
The gathering took place hours before the Sound Transit Board convened for a retreat on the agency’s projected budget shortfall. Funding for ST3 comes from a combination of local taxes, federal grants and loans, and other revenue channels.
According to meeting documents, COVID, inflation, rising costs for materials and labor have contributed to the rising project costs more than initially expected.
The voter-approved ST3 expenses of $54 billion have ballooned by as much as $30 billion, delaying initial timelines. The Everett Link Extension, originally slated for 2036, is now projected to open between 2037 and 2041.
The Everett Link Extension would add 16 miles of light rail and six new stations connecting Snohomish County residents to the regional light rail network.
Getting light rail to Downtown Everett has gone from $6.5 billion to as much as $7.7 billion.
President and CEO Ray Stephanson of EASC attended on behalf of Snohomish County’s business community and regional workforce, the press release said.
Stephanson emphasized that completing the Everett–Tacoma spine must remain the agency’s highest priority.
“Every day, more than 185,000 Snohomish County residents commute to jobs in King County,” Stephanson said. “The commercial district surrounding Paine Field supports roughly 42,000 Boeing and aerospace employees. This corridor is essential to our regional workforce and economic mobility.”
Sound Transit acknowledged the public interest in ST3 progress in a statement to KIRO 7, noting that the campaign demonstrates ongoing support for the program and that the agency is working to equip its board with tools to address cost challenges.
