The Sound Transit Ballard Link Extension in Seattle is a major expansion project aiming to connect downtown Seattle to the Ballard neighborhood with nine new light rail stations. This project includes a rail-only tunnel running through key areas such as the Chinatown-International District, South Lake Union, and Uptown near the Seattle Center. The estimated cost is $11.2 billion, with construction planned to start in 2027 and service projected to begin in 2039.