Sound Transit has begun operating its light rail extension to Federal Way, adding new transport options for South King County and the wider South Sound region.
The 1 Line now stretches nearly eight miles further south, following the opening of three new stations at Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and Federal Way Downtown. The project also includes two new parking structures and an expanded facility in Federal Way.
The launch marks another stage in Sound Transit’s multi-year rail expansion programme. In the past three years, the agency has opened several extensions, including the T Line to Hilltop, the 2 Line between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology, the Lynnwood link to Snohomish County, and the 2 Line extension to Downtown Redmond. The Crosslake Connection, which will take the 2 Line across Lake Washington into Seattle, is planned for 2026.
Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said:The debut of the Federal Way Link Extension marks yet another progress milestone for Sound Transit and the region. This extension brings Link that much closer to connecting all three counties of the Puget Sound region.
The Federal Way extension was approved by voters in 2008 through the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure. Construction began in 2020. Regional officials say the new service strengthens rail links across the Puget Sound area and forms part of a longer-term plan to connect all three counties by light rail.
The project was delivered by contractor Kiewit. Its total cost is 2.5 billion USD, supported in part by a 790 million USD grant from the Federal Transit Administration and a 629.5 million USD low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine said:Our team and community partners demonstrated remarkable resilience in overcoming the challenges of the Great Recession and Covid pandemic during the life of this project, while still finishing hundreds of millions of dollars under budget. This opening represents our ability to deliver for the residents of South King County and the region, connecting more people to opportunity via clean, frequent, reliable transit.
Station Details
Kent Des Moines Station
Located near the SR 516 exit off I-5, the elevated station serves Highline College and an area planned for future housing development. The site includes a parking garage with about 500 spaces.
Star Lake Station
Situated just north of South 272nd Street on the west side of I-5, this station connects nearby neighbourhoods and features a 1,105-space parking structure.
Federal Way Downtown Station
Based at the Federal Way Transit Center, this elevated station supports one of the region’s busiest transport hubs with bus and regional links. It also serves the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center and surrounding businesses. An expansion to the existing garage has added 341 spaces to the 1,224 already available.
