Senator Patty Murray dedicates new Sound Transit Tacoma Dome Sounder Station at Freighthouse Square

U.S. Senator Patty Murray joined Sound Transit and local officials today to officially dedicate the new Tacoma Dome Sounder Station alongside Freighthouse Square. The dedication of the commuter rail station celebrates the opening of the final piece at the most complete multi-modal transit facility in the region and occurs as Sounder concludes its third year of successful service.

"The Tacoma Dome station will play a vital role in getting people moving through Tacoma and the Puget Sound," said Murray. "Whether you are going to work, to school, or to play, this new station will provide South Sound residents a ticket to ride anywhere in the region."

The new Sounder platform is just across the street from a 2,400 stall free parking garage and features a wheelchair access ramp and canopies to protect passengers in bad weather.

"Tacoma Dome Station is the best example of what Sound Transit is striving to achieve," said Sound Transit Board Chair/King County Executive Ron Sims. "We are building a seamless network of transit options connecting people to their jobs, their schools, shopping and recreation."

At Tacoma Dome Station commuters can connect with Sounder, Tacoma Link light rail, ST Express and Pierce Transit bus services, Greyhound and nearby Amtrak.

"The completion of the complex at Tacoma Dome Station is symbolic for the entire region," said Sound Transit Vice Chair/Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg. "It shows what the agency is capable of doing as we prepare to build Central Link light rail in King County, extend Sounder service to Lakewood and Everett and complete more than $800 million in capital projects to support the ST Express regional bus network."

In addition to the new station, Sound Transit also completed $12 million in track and signal improvements connecting the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway's mainline and the Tacoma Rail tracks at Freighthouse Square.

"The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Tacoma Rail and the City of Tacoma have been invaluable partners in this project," said Board Chair Sims. "This upgrade is a significant added benefit for everyone."

Sounder commuter rail began serving the new station on September 15. For the past three years Sounder commuters have used a temporary platform at the nearby Amtrak Station, a short walk northeast of the Tacoma Dome Station Garage. Besides giving Sounder a new home in Tacoma, the station is the springboard for extending service to South Tacoma and Lakewood.

"The opening of the new Sounder Station is an important part of the downtown Tacoma renaissance," said Sound Transit Boardmember/Tacoma City Councilman Kevin Phelps. "Between the new Sounder station and Tacoma Link light rail, merchants at Freighthouse Square are enjoying a new rush of business."

Sounder currently provides three roundtrips during peak hours between Tacoma and Seattle with additional stops in Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila.

# # #

Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.