Sound Transit sets name for South 200th Link Extension light rail station

Choice reflects community preference for natural geographic landmark

The Sound Transit Board of Directors yesterday adopted Angle Lake as the name for the light rail station that will open in 2016 at South 200th Street and 28th Avenue South in SeaTac.

The name arose as the top pick from residents and others during agency public meetings, through an online survey, and at community festivals that took place this fall. Residents commented that the name is unique, easier to remember than a numbered street name, and geographically accurate in highlighting a local landmark.

The agency's Board earlier awarded the South 200th Link Extension contract to PCL Civil Constructors, Inc., which will design and build the project. Design began in October with construction scheduled to start this spring. Service on the new extension will open in 2016, four years earlier than planned in the voter-approved Sound Transit 2 ballot measure and in the same timeframe as the University Link light rail extension.

The 1.6-mile extension to South 200th Street will run south from Sea-Tac Airport on an elevated guideway along 28th Avenue South. The elevated station will include passenger platforms with covered waiting areas, a transfer area for local and rapid ride bus connections, dedicated areas for passenger pickup and drop off, and vanpool parking. Secured bicycle storage, street improvements to accommodate traffic circulation, bicycle and pedestrian access, landscaping and public art are also elements of the project.

The agency will conduct a separate procurement for a 700-stall parking garage at the new station, an additional 400 interim surface spaces, and roadway, sidewalk and bike path improvements to accommodate commuters using the new station. The additional parking capacity will provide an alternative to parking at the Tukwila International Boulevard light rail station and accommodate parking south of the airport while the station serves as an interim southern terminus.