Balducci plan to keep light rail and bus rapid transit on track passes at Sound Transit

August 5, 2021

Summary

Story

King County Council Chair and Sound Transit Boardmember Claudia Balducci released the following statement Thursday following the Sound Transit Board of Directors’ successful realignment vote. The compromise agreement, sponsored by Boardmember Balducci and Sound Transit Board Chair and University Place Councilmember Kent Keel, approves a flexible and accountable framework to deliver the remaining $50-plus billion Sound Transit mass transit program as close as possible, or faster, to the dates promised to the voters:

“The Board’s vote today recommits us to do what is necessary to deliver our region’s mass transit system on the timelines expected by the voters who approved Sound Transit 3 (ST3). Now the real hard work begins. It will not be easy but it is essential for our region’s success that we complete the light rail and bus rapid transit lines that will connect our economic centers and build a more sustainable transportation future in the face of the climate crisis. Reducing costs, finding additional funds and delivering these projects on-time, if not ahead of schedule, will require leadership from our Board, from the cities and towns that serve transit riders, and from the stakeholders and individuals who call our region home.

“As the COVID crisis evolves and carries on, one thing that is certain in the coming year is uncertainty. It is time to lean in and do what is necessary to make these critical transit projects successful.

“I want to thank each of my Sound Transit board colleagues for their passion in representing their communities and the region. I am especially appreciative that they joined Chair Keel and me in agreement that it’s essential we commit with urgency to build out our entire transit system as soon as possible.

“I also want to thank the many stakeholders advancing equity, improved transportation solutions, as well as our community and business leaders from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Your voices were critical for the passage of ST3 in 2016 and they are arguably even more essential as we work together to deliver mass transit across our region.”

Balducci is available for interviews.