October is the first month that the Link light rail system has topped three million rides in Sound Transit history.

Sound Transit’s governance structure and limited organizational powers cause project delay, inflated costs, and lower quality service. The Washington State Legislature should audit and reform the agency to get it back on track.

Sound Transit is delaying repair work that had been planned December 7 and 8, but expanding its maintenance work and service disruption schedule in January and February.

Sound Transit plans to make a series of spot improvements over the next few years intended to improve safety at its at-grade stations in the Rainier Valley. But multiple board members are pushing the agency to think much bigger.

A third-party consultant told the Sound Transit board this week that the Fourth Avenue station option in Chinatown is "not reasonably constructible," due to lengthy construction timelines and a laundry list of risks that come with construction next to a BNSF rail line.

Weekend disruptions for 1 Line riders in early November and December will likely cause headaches, but are set to ultimately benefit riders. Mark your calendar to navigate disrupted light rail service November 8-10 and December 7-8.

The Sound Transit board approved the route for West Seattle Link Thursday, clearing the way for engineering work that will advance the project to 80% design by 2027. Opponents cited worries that rising project costs would jeopardize light rail extensions to Tacoma and to Everett.

Ballard Link is still in planning, eight years after the passage of Sound Transit 3. With the environmental review process essentially starting over, major action on the project isn't expected until 2025.