Sound Transit holds virtual groundbreaking for Federal Way Link Extension

Sound Transit staff and Board members, elected officials and community partners celebrated the start of construction on the 7.8-mile Federal Way Link Extension on July 16. King County is currently under COVID-19 health guidelines, making a traditional in-person ceremony impractical, but officials gathered virtually to debut a new video.  

The Federal Way Link will extend light rail from Angle Lake Station in SeaTac to the Federal Way Transit Center. Opening in 2024, the route to Federal Way will offer fast, frequent and reliable service between South King County and Sea-Tac Airport, downtown Seattle, the University of Washington, Northgate, Lynnwood and Bellevue. The extension includes three new stations serving Kent/Des Moines, South 272nd Street and the Federal Way Transit Center.

Sound Transit says this project will connect neighborhoods and bring opportunities to get the region’s economy back on track, giving commuters an option for fast, frequent and reliable service between South King County and SeaTac airport, downtown Seattle, the University of Washington, Northgate, Lynnwood and Bellevue.

"The Federal Way Link Extension is such a critical project for so many in the Puget Sound region and across our state. This project will help reduce traffic and commute times, lower emissions and invigorate economies," said Sen. Patty Murray, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee. "While we’re all still working to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, this project reinforces how much we can accomplish when both Washingtons work together."

"The Federal Way Link Extension is going to be game-changer for South King County and communities surrounding it. It will help meet increasing demands for public transportation," said Sen. Maria Cantwell. "This extension is expected to serve as many as 34,000 daily riders by the year 2026. That means easier commutes and less congestion for so many people in and around South King County and a better experience."

"Building the Federal Way Link Extension is really about building a prosperous economy," said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. "By 2024, you will be able to travel by light rail from Federal Way, Kent and Des Moines up to Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Shoreline and Lynnwood. We are now just a few years away from the true rail network that the region has needed for a very long time."

The $3.1 billion light-rail project includes a $790 million Capital Investment Grant from the Federal Transit Administration and a $629.5 million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

By 2021, Sound Transit will expand light rail to the University District, Roosevelt and Northgate. In 2022, Tacoma Link will expand to the Hilltop neighborhood. In 2023, trains will reach Mercer Island, Bellevue and the Overlake area. In addition to the Federal Way Link Extension, 2024 will bring the opening of extensions to Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood and Downtown Redmond.