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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · 11h

🚇 Seattle’s biggest transit challenges mean we need bold thinking to deliver ST3 without breaking the bank. That means reimagining the second downtown tunnel, speeding up delivery, and putting riders first. Read more in @publicola.bsky.social >>>

Three Key Questions to Save Our Light Rail Future - PubliCola

By Claudia Balducci It’s no secret that our region needed high-capacity transit yesterday — or better yet, four decades ago.…

publicola.com

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · 5d

Government has to work...but the federal government isn't working. This week's example of federal volatility illustrates why local government needs to be strong, stable & dependable.

Read about this & the proposed 2026-27 county budget in my latest update >>>

Government has to work

Click the image to watch a Q&A video about the King County budget

content.govdelivery.com

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · 8d

Federal uncertainty looms, but King County must keep delivering. As we prepare to shape a $19.7B budget for 2026–2027, let’s make sure safety and transportation stay front and center. Your voice matters—join the conversation. #KingCounty #Budget2026 #LocalGovWorks

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · 15d

🚶🚲🚌🦼 Over 30% of King County residents don’t drive—and yet most of our transportation system is built for those who do. That’s why the King County Council has proclaimed Sept. 30-Oct 5 the Week Without Driving—to better understand and address these challenges. #WeekWithoutDriving

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · 21d

🚆 Four-car trains flying across the I-90 Bridge at speeds up to 55mph—and no issues identified with cathodic protection!

📸 Shoutout to @nwprogressive.org for capturing the action.

✅ @sound-transit.bsky.social plans to keep testing in evenings through Saturday. #EastLink #SoundTransit #LightRail

Northwest Progressive Institute @nwprogressive.org · 22d

We've got a supercut of clips and a gallery of photos from another historic night on the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge for you!

Trainspotting with NPI: Four-car trains roll across Lake Washington as Sound Transit steps up testing

Live-wire testing on the unopened segment of the 2 Line has progressed to the next stage, with four car consists making their debut on the tracks between Mercer Island and Judkins Park. See for yourself!

www.nwprogressive.org

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Reposted by Claudia Balducci

L. Harrison Jerome @lhjseattle.bsky.social · 29d

At midnight, we watched a train cross a floating bridge for the first time in world history. Congratulations to @sound-transit.bsky.social and @kccclaudia.bsky.social on this monumental achievement!

Here’s to those who push forward to make the world better, even when the rest of it is dark.

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · 29d

Amazing photos from last night's historic floating bridge rail crossing. Courtesy: @sound-transit.bsky.social #soundtransit

light rail train crossing the I-90 floating bridge

view from operator's cab of first light rail vehicle crossing the I-90 bridge

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · 29d

Are you kidding, I would not have missed it — and thanks to whoever brought the pizza and soda!

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · 29d

Apart from the imminent clash of cultures, isn’t that one damn sexy train?

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Reposted by Claudia Balducci

Sound Transit @sound-transit.bsky.social · 29d

A world first: trains under power are now running across the I-90 floating bridge ⚡

Last night marked a big milestone for the 2 Line’s Crosslake Connection - hear more from Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine on this historic evening for transit and the entire Central Puget Sound!

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Sep 9

What a night!

Waiting for the first first East Link train under its own power to reach Seattle from the Eastside.

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Sep 9

So beyond exciting to be out watching this historic moment with a crowd of rail fans!

Bruce Englehardt @sounderbruce.bsky.social · Sep 9

The first East Link train under its own power on the floating bridge!

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Sep 8

Check out my latest email update: a damning audit, support for small businesses from OneEastside, and efforts to raise awareness, inspire hope, and drive action during Suicide Prevention Month.

More details here >>>

"Make no mistake, this is a damning audit"

content.govdelivery.com

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Sep 5

That’s why we owe it to our region to invent a Sound Transit future that’s affordable, reliable & boldly reimagined. Let's review the option of building a second downtown tunnel, explore creative ways to break up megaprojects into manageable portions & deliver service that works for riders.

The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · Sep 4

Seattle isn't perfect, but it is one of the best places to live car-free and car-light in the U.S. We need to build on this momentum.

Crystal Fincher @finchfrii.bsky.social · Sep 4

“In 2023, there were a record 74,100 carless households, representing 20% of all Seattle households. That’s up from 53,200, or 16% of households, in 2017.”

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Aug 29

We need to complete the regional spine, West Seattle, Ballard—everything.

No matter the obstacles, our focus remains the same: find bold, effective solutions and finish the light rail system our community has fought for.

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Aug 29

Yesterday at the Sound Transit Board meeting, I questioned the necessity of an additional tunnel downtown—from CID Station to Westlake—so we could save money and better tackle the agency's financial challenges.

I’m fully committed to delivering the light rail network our region deserves.

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Aug 29

Yes. To all the questions - can we have frequency and reliability AND a system where all the lines come together in at least one singular location? Minimizing impacts? Delivering more quickly and more affordably? We need to ask these questions, surface all the pros and cons and have the debate.

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Aug 29

Yesterday at the Sound Transit Board meeting, I questioned the necessity of an additional tunnel downtown—from CID Station to Westlake—so we could save money and better tackle the agency's financial challenges.

I’m fully committed to delivering the light rail network our region deserves.

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Aug 14

Love these ridership numbers - and thanks for the shout out! This is why we fight to provide more and better transit. People want and need these services!

Ryan Packer @typewriteralley.bsky.social · Aug 13

Just a reminder that all ten of these stations would probably be sitting empty and collecting dust without @kccclaudia.bsky.social.

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Aug 13

Today we broke ground on our region's first all-electric Bus Rapid Transit facility in Bothell! This Sound Transit maintenance hub will support 48 battery-powered buses. Stride BRT promises to reduce travel time and emissions, connecting more communities to light rail, jobs, & more. #SoundTransit

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Aug 4

In CM Balducci’s latest update: 📋 Openings on county boards and committees 🏞️ Grant opportunities for Lake Sammamish shoreline restoration 🔥 Survey to help King County improve wildfire preparedness

📬 Read the full e-newsletter >>> content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAK...

Board(s), but not boring!

content.govdelivery.com

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Aug 4

Great question: at the Board meeting, the study request was amended to broaden the language to pets. You can read the text here: www.soundtransit.org/st_sharepoin...

www.soundtransit.org

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Jul 24

After a tail-wagging turnout of four-legged fans, the Sound Transit Board just passed a motion—led by Boardmember Claudia Balducci—to fetch a clearer, more paws-itively functional “Dogs on Trains” and pet policy. 🚆🐶 🐾 #HoundTransit #DogsOnTrains #AllAboard #SoundTransit

Sound Transit @sound-transit.bsky.social · Jul 24

You’re probably wondering about all of these dogs outside of Union Station…

The pet policy was on the Sound Transit Board meeting agenda today — and some very good pups came to share their thoughts during public comment. 🐶🐾

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Reposted by Claudia Balducci

Transportation Choices Coalition @transpochoices.bsky.social · Jul 18

If you're a transit-loving pet owner, join us at Union Station at 1PM for a group photo before the board meeting to support pet-friendly public transit policies.

Want to speak at the meeting? Comment or DM us.

We hope to see you there!

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Claudia Balducci @kccclaudia.bsky.social · Jul 24

💯