SEATTLE — Sound Transit is confronting a financial crisis that could reshape the future of light rail in western Washington, with residents in West Seattle voicing frustration over years of delays.

The West Seattle Link Extension — part of the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 program — is expected to trim travel time to downtown’s Westlake Station by about 15 minutes. But the project has grown from an estimated $4.2 billion to as much as $7.9 billion, while the agency faces an overall funding shortfall of $22 to $30 billion. Officials cite inflation, rising land and construction costs, tariffs, and lingering supply chain problems.

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“It would make things more convenient for sure,” said Heather Hitte of West Seat

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