Sound Transit’s ambitious plans for light rail expansion have long been a source of both hope and frustration for commuters in the Seattle area. But here’s where it gets controversial: after years of delays and budget overruns, the agency recently celebrated the unveiling of the Federal Way light rail station and announced that the Bellevue-to-Seattle train—set to cross the iconic I-90—is in its final testing phase, with service expected before June 2026. Sounds promising, right? Not so fast, says KIRO traffic reporter Chris Sullivan, who isn’t buying the rosy narrative.
In a candid discussion on The John Curley Show, Sullivan called out Sound Transit’s handling of timelines, particularly after King County Executive Dow Constantine claimed the Federal Way extension was ‘ahead of schedule and $500 million under budget.’ Sullivan’s response? ‘What?’ He broke it down for listeners: ‘They moved the schedule to next year because they realized they couldn’t meet the original deadline, then sped up the Federal Way project to save face. But let’s be clear—this was supposed to open last year. They’re not early; they’re eight months late.’
And this is the part most people miss: the Bellevue-to-Seattle line isn’t just a typical rail project. It’s attempting something unprecedented—building a rail line across a floating structure. Is this a groundbreaking innovation or a costly gamble? Sullivan’s skepticism echoes a broader question: should billions be spent on a system that may serve only a small fraction of commuters? John Curley didn’t hold back, pointing out the irony of removing capacity lanes on I-90 to make way for a train that might carry ‘a few lonely souls’ while the rest of us remain stuck in traffic.
‘It’s like we’re trading one problem for another,’ Curley argued. ‘Sure, the train might work for some, but at what cost? And will it really make a dent in our traffic woes?’ These are the questions that linger as Sound Transit pushes forward with its vision. What do you think? Is this project worth the investment, or are we setting ourselves up for more disappointment?
Watch the full discussion in the video above and join the conversation. Catch John Curley weekday afternoons from 3–7 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM, or subscribe to the podcast here. Follow the show on Twitter @jcurleyshow to stay updated and share your thoughts.
