The early scoping process kicks off project development and the environmental process for light rail extensions opening in West Seattle in 2030 and Ballard in 2035. As part of early scoping, members of the public are invited to comment on the representative project in the Sound Transit 3 (ST3) Plan approved by voters, the project purpose and need, other alternatives, and the transportation and community impacts and benefits to consider.

During alternatives development, staff will assess the representative project and, based on additional public engagement and technical analysis, further refine the route, station locations, and other project elements. The representative project itself is based on yearslong, extensive planning and public involvement work, including high-capacity transit studies, the process to update the agency’s long-range plan, and the work to develop the ST3 Plan.

Through early 2019, staff will engage the public and stakeholder groups in an intensive public involvement process that will lead to the Sound Transit Board identifying a preferred alternative, as well as other alternatives to evaluate in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). An outline of the Community Engagement Plan is available on soundtransit.org.