Project updates
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Federal Way Link Extension

Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) now available

Publish Date
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Passenger disembarks the Link light rail train.

The Final EIS for the Federal Way Link light rail extension has been published by Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The Final EIS:

  • Describes the routes and stations studied, including their potential impacts
  • Identifies ways to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts
  • Responds to public and agency comments received on the project's Draft EIS
  • Provides information to assist the Sound Transit Board in selecting the project to build
  • Complies with National and State Environmental Policy Acts (NEPA/SEPA)

Review the final EIS

Copies of the Final EIS are available on the project website, soundtransit.org/FWextension. Copies are also available for review at the:

  • Sound Transit office: 401 S Jackson St., Seattle
  • Des Moines Library: 21620 11th Ave. S., Des Moines
  • Woodmont Library: 26809 Pacific Highway S., Des Moines
  • Kent Library: 212 2nd Ave. N., Kent
  • Federal Way S. 320th Library: 848 S. 320th Street, Federal Way
  • Federal Way Library: 34200 1st Way S., Federal Way
  • Washington State Library: 6880 Capitol Boulevard SE, Tumwater

For a free copy of the Executive Summary and a CD of the Final EIS or to purchase a printed copy, contact the project team at Zachary.eskenazi@soundtransit.org or 206-903-7178.

Following publication of the Final EIS, the FTA will accept comments for 30 days. All comments are due close of business on Dec. 19, 2016. Send comments to the FTA by:
Email: fta.tro10mail@dot.gov
Mail: Federal Transit Administration, Region 10 Office, Attn. Federal Way Link Extension EIS Comments, 915 Second Ave., Suite 3142, Seattle. WA 98174-1002

Project background and next steps

The project will extend light rail south from Angle Lake in the City of SeaTac to the Federal Way Transit Center in 2024. By 2035, Federal Way Link will carry an estimated 35,000 to 39,500 riders each weekday through one of the most congested travel corridors in the region. Stations will be located in the Kent/Des Moines area, at South 272nd Street and the Federal Way Transit Center. The extension will provide a 46-minute trip between Federal Way and downtown Seattle regardless of traffic conditions.

The Sound Transit Board is expected to select the route and station locations at its Jan. 26 meeting. After securing a federal Record of Decision and completing the design work, the project is scheduled to enter construction in 2019.