“Ballard has long been a part of Sound Transit’s regional transportation vision for the future,” said Phillips, a member of the Sound Transit Board. “Now that it’s clear that the Green Line won’t reach Ballard, the time is right for Sound Transit to explore the potential of a rail connection between Ballard and Downtown Seattle. Such a connection could preserve the dream of a transit system operating in a dedicated right-or-way but address concerns about integration and duplication of transit infrastructure downtown.”

Phillips’ request could be considered alongside an earlier request by King County Councilmember Dwight Pelz to study a rail connection to West Seattle. Like Pelz, Phillips requests that Sound Transit fund a study of the project, but acknowledges that construction funds would have to come from an outside source.

“Seattle voters are desperate for an escape from gridlock and for more alternatives to an SOV commute,” said Phillips. “If voters strike down the monorail, we must waste no time finding a viable alternative. Ballard in particular is a vibrant, growing, pro-transit community that should not be left off the city and the region’s rail network.”