A look at the plans for the new Sound Transit light rail station at South 272nd Street in Kent. COURTESY GRAPHIC, Sound Transit

A look at the plans for the new Sound Transit light rail station at South 272nd Street in Kent. COURTESY GRAPHIC, Sound Transit

Sound Transit reveals details about 272nd Street light rail station

Emphasis on lighting, landscaping to help pedestrians feel safe

Sound Transit recently announced details about the light rail station to be built in Kent at the existing Star Lake Park & Ride lot on South 272nd Street, just off of Interstate 5.

The station will be at the edge of the wooded areas with northwest modern architecture and art to complement the surrounding area. The landscaping and lighting will consider the needs of the residents in surrounding communities while creating a safe and distinctive station design to support the needs of light rail and bus riders and other community members, according to a Sound Transit project update.

Sound Transit plans to start construction in late 2019 on a 7.8-mile extension of light rail from SeaTac to Federal Way. The $2.5 billion project is expected to be completed in 2024.

Design of the station’s canopy will include high windows, providing shelter from the elements and plenty of light for riders on the platform. The parking structure will include 1,100 parking spaces.

Sound Transit prioritizes safety and, consistent with agency standards, the station will incorporate crime prevention through environmental design principles. Those elements to increase visibility to pedestrian activity in the station include:

• Glass windscreens at light rail and bus waiting areas

• Glass elevator walls

• Landscaping designed and maintained to support visibility. For instance, ground cover is limited to 3 feet tall and trees will be planted and trimmed to keep bottom branches at 8 feet and above

• Lighting that will feel inviting and safe

Sound Transit worked with the city of Kent and the community to select a theme for the artwork at this station. The theme ‘Light at the Edge of the Forest,’ will convey a warm welcoming glow for the community and riders enjoying this future station. There will be an additional opportunity for public input on the station concept, once Sound Transit is in the final design stage.

New stations also are planned for near South 236th Street and Pacific Highway South in Kent and near South 320th Street at the Federal Way Transit Center. The agency plans to build 500 parking spots in a garage at Kent/Des Moines and add 400 spaces in a new garage to its existing 1,200 spots at the Federal Way Transit Center.

The route will go from the Angle Lake Station in SeaTac to I-5 and along the west side of the freeway until heading west toward Pacific Highway South in Kent, then back along I-5 to get to Federal Way. About 60 percent of the line will be at-grade and about 40 percent on an elevated guideway.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Kent raises Pride flag at City Hall to honor LGTBQ+ rights movement

UTOPIA, Kent Youth and Family Services join City Councilmembers Satwinder Kaur and Marli Larimer

Eighteen schools will hold graduations in June at the ShoWare Center in Kent. This is a photo from the Kentridge High School 2022 graduation. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent’s ShoWare Center to host 18 graduations in June

From June 2-22; Kent high schools set for Saturday, June 17

Image courtesy Metro Creative Outlet
King County property values down substantially | King County Assessor

The valuation process is still underway, but expect the market to be cooler than last year.

Stage 1 Burn Ban includes the prohibition of burning for land clearing and yard debris. Image courtesy of Puget Sound Fire.
Stage 1 Burn Ban effective throughout King County

Beginning June 1, residents are prohibited from burning yard debris or for land debris.

Stock photo, Metro Creative Graphics
Kent apartment rents drop 0.6% in May; down 4.9% compared to May 2022

Median rent is $1,408 per month for a one-bedroom unit, $1,815 for a two bedroom

t
3 Kent high school students honored on STEM Signing Day

Students from Kent-Meridian, Kentridge and Kentwood

t
State Patrol uses aircraft in Kent to catch speeding drivers

Two incidents May 27 along northbound State Route 167

t
Kent Police seek public’s help in 2022 fatal hit-and-run

Detectives looking to identify driver of vehicle that killed 62-year-old woman

File Photo
King County libraries expand hours during this Summer

More libraries will expand their hours beginning June 18.

Most Read