Light rail extension to Interbay-Ballard engages area residents in planning phase

Monday evening, Ballard and Interbay residents got the opportunity to help in the planning phase for their own light rail extension, as Sound Transit hosted its first open house for the anticipated project.



It comes just days after it was announced that Sound Transit is delaying Tacoma’s Hilltop streetcar extension again. But despite this, area residents expressed optimism about the Ballard project, with two main hopes in mind: property values going up, and the number of cars on the road going down.



Transportation officials said the Ballard rail extension will not be done until 2037, or 2039 at the latest. But that’s not stopping public interest.



“We’re excited, yeah,” said real estate broker Scott Richey. “That it takes a little longer is just the way it is. But we think it’d be smart to be in the know as we go along so we can better advise people.”



Tahys Richey, who is also a real estate broker, added, “It probably will help with traffic because traffic is crazy these days.”



Scott Richey said he “really” believes the light rail extension will raise property values in Ballard. “And that’s a good thing, right?” He added, “It would be nice to get places easier and faster and not drive.”



Read the full story here: https://www.king5.com/article/news/ballard-light-rail-extension-sound-transit/281-517565f1-7067-43f0-88d5-8af8ebbf2ced