Ballard Link Extension:
Choose your route.
Ballard Link Extension is a Sound Transit project to expand light rail capacity through downtown Seattle, adding a new tunnel under downtown Seattle, almost 8 miles of light rail, and nine new stations. The two southernmost stations will connect the 1, 2, and 3 lines of light rail and will affect the entire system.
We’ve created these animations to demonstrate the differences in connections between the station locations Sound Transit is considering. These are based on public information from Sound Transit, accurate as of September 2024. These are sample trips, though as all commuters know, you’ll find your own best routes.
One key element is that riders will no longer be able to travel south from the current International District/Chinatown light rail stop to the airport. Riders will need to catch that line at whichever new station is constructed in South Downtown. This will be a major change for many riders.
Video Channel Name
Othello to First Hill
Follow Jessica as she travels from South Seattle to First Hill. Connecting to the Rapid Ride G line is key for this trip.
Little Saigon to SeaTac Airport
For a trip from Little Saigon to SeaTac, Tuyen and Aleksa will ride the streetcar to the light rail -- but to go to SeaTac, they will transfer to one of the NEW light rail stations built for Ballard Link Extension.
Sounder to Ballard
Dana commutes into Seattle from Auburn on the Sounder commuter rail. In order to get to her job in Ballard, she needs to transfer to the new light rail line, choosing one of the new stations constructed for Ballard Link Extension.
Eastside to SeaTac Airport
Derek and Leesa are traveling from Bellevue to SeaTac on light rail. They will ride the 2 Line from the East Side to the current International District/Chinatown station, but will need to transfer to the new station to ride south to SeaTac.
HSD Cares Because
this light rail expansion will affect how people get to or from our neighborhoods FOR ALL ETERNITY. Large transportation projects will affect our community priorities, and we keep those in focus as we advocate.
How will this project:
-
Improve mobility and connectivity
-
Activate common areas
-
Improve public safety
-
Enhance community vitality and sustainability
-
Encourage economic development