The first step to making better transit to Ballard has just been OK'd today by the Seattle City Council.

A proviso blocking funding for an $800,000 study to identify possible modes of transit -- such as light rail, a street car, or a tunnel -- has been released in a City Council vote. The money will be added to $2 million already funded by Sound Transit.

Now, the council must approve the funding itself in order to proceed any further. There is no date set yet or promise for when they would start the process on creating an improved transit system, but with growing demand from a quickly developing Ballard, the city has become more serious about making it a reality.

“Today’s vote means that we can immediately begin substantial planning work for a streetcar or light-rail line that will extend our transit network to neighborhoods who have long demanded better service for their residents," Mayor Mike McGinn said through a press release. "Our updated Transit Master Plan identifies this corridor as a top priority. That’s why we worked with Sound Transit to accelerate spending $2 million of Sound Transit funds to assist the City in this work.”