People get ready, there’s a train a-comin’.
That line from a song performed by numerous artists over the decades certainly applies to Sound Transit’s Thursday, Aug. 28 announcement that light rail passenger service to Kent, Des Moines and Federal Way will start Saturday, Dec. 6.
The 7.8-mile Federal Way Link Extension from Angle Lake Station in SeaTac includes three new stations in South King County, serving Kent Des Moines, Star Lake (Kent) and Federal Way Downtown. During peak hours, trains will operate every eight minutes.
“Today’s announcement on Federal Way shows that the region continues to make significant progress toward our mass transit goals,” said Dave Somers, Sound Transit Board chair and Snohomish County executive, in a Sound Transit news release. “This is one more step in completing the spine and providing relief from gridlock and more travel options for our residents. I look forward to the day we open Everett, and Tacoma, and the other key elements of the Sound Transit 3 package.”
Riders will be able to take light rail between Federal Way and Lynnwood with many stops along the way, including Sea-Tac Airport, T-Mobile Park, Lumen Field, downtown Seattle and the University of Washington.
“The city of Federal Way is excited about the opening of the downtown Federal Way Light Rail Station later this year,” said Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell. “It connects our community more directly into the regional transportation network and expands opportunities for our city’s residents and businesses. We thank Sound Transit for being excellent governmental partners on this transformative project.”
The news thrilled Kent Mayor Dana Ralph.
“As we collectively work to build our community, the Federal Way Link Extension project will provide a transportation alternative to connect people in the region to the great city of Kent,” Ralph said on Facebook. “This will help bring people to the city and connect them with all the Kent Valley has to offer.”
Pete von Reichbauer, King County Council member and Sound Transit Board member, also looks forward to the new service.
“After years of getting coal in our stocking, I am happy that South King County is getting an early Christmas gift on Dec. 6 before the busy holiday season,” von Reichbauer said. “For those who have been patiently waiting (and paying!), this is our own ‘Polar Express’, and I am grateful to the board for accelerating the opening of Link Light Rail in Federal Way. Anyone who has battled the sea of red lights on I-5 will appreciate the 16-minute trip from Downtown Federal Way to Sea-Tac Airport, or the 46-minute trip to Seattle. Daily commutes, travel, sporting events, and more will be more predictable for families across our region.”
The Federal Way extension will serve the following stations, all of them with multiple transit connections:
• Kent Des Moines Station. Located east of I-5 at South 236th Street on the border of Kent and Des Moines, Kent Des Moines is an elevated station that serves Highline College, includes a 500 space parking garage, and features transit-oriented development opportunities including a 233 unit affordable housing project from Mercy Housing Northwest set to break ground this winter.
• Star Lake Station. Located at South 272nd Street and 26th Avenue in Kent, Star Lake station will serve as a key interchange for Link, St Express, King County Metro, and park-and-ride commuters. The elevated station features a new bike and pedestrian access path to the station plaza, connects to the existing freeway station, and will add 1,100 parking spaces in a new garage that replaced surface parking.
• Federal Way Downtown. Located at the Federal Way Transit Center, this elevated station serves one of the busiest transit centers in the region from the heart of Downtown Federal Way. The station features 400 new parking spaces in addition to existing garages, public restrooms, and a rebuilt street grid with pedestrian and bicycle improvements and opportunities for affordable housing and sustainable transit-oriented development.
The new Federal Way bus loop, which opened earlier this year, connects King County Metro, ST Express, and Pierce Transit buses directly to the station, providing fast and reliable light rail connections to South King and Pierce County.
Sound Transit plans to provide more details about opening day in the coming weeks.
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