Sound Transit funding crisis, Link reliability and regional transportation

Sound Transit's projected $35 billion shortfall threatens Ballard Link and West Seattle Link timelines, with Ballard potentially delayed to 2060 and West Seattle to 2035; Everett Link is estimated at nearly $12 billion. Pinehurst Station is open but has incomplete access, while RapidRide R acceleration, route consolidation and a scheduled Oct. 19 Ballard Link forum keep rider access and project design in debate. West Seattle Bridge repairs scheduled for Oct. 5–15 add near-term infrastructure impacts, and copper theft is raising resilience concerns.