FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Sound Transit’s long-awaited south-end light rail expansion is almost here.
In just over five weeks, three new stations are scheduled to open, connecting more communities from Federal Way all the way to Lynnwood.
The extension adds eight miles to the 1 Line, with new stops at Kent Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way Downtown. The $2.5 billion project includes 3,200 new parking spaces across two new garages and one garage expansion. Officials with Sound Transit said they expect these new stations to serve between 19,000 and 24,000 riders every day.
Across from the new Federal Way station, local business owner Michelle Sparks said she’s ready for the boost.
“I feel like it’s going to bring in a lot of great things for us here,” said Sparks, who owns Hotworx Fitness Studio nearby.
Five years of construction have tested local patience, but Sparks said the payoff will be worth it.
“It’s going to help our small local businesses grow,” she said. “It’ll bring in more commuters who find this a more affordable place to live and an easier way to reach the bigger cities.”
Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine calls the expansion a major step toward connecting the region.
“Our purpose is to knit together this region,” Constantine said. He added that the new stations will save commuters time and foster development around new transit hubs. “It helps build community around these stations. Housing, retail, community spaces, they build communities.”
Opening day celebrations are set for Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at 9:30 a.m., with trains scheduled to start serving the new stations at 11 a.m.
트위터 공유: Federal Way 경전철 개통 임박! 지역 활성화 기대