Eagle-eyed observers in Downtown Federal Way may have recently noticed a light rail vehicle on the elevated guideway south of the Federal Way Downtown Station, set to open in spring 2026. It was staged there in preparation for testing on the southern end of the Federal Way Link Extension.
We’ve already been doing testing on the northern part of the alignment between Angle Lake in SeaTac and the future Kent Des Moines Station, progressing from clearance testing to towed train cars to light rail vehicles operating under their own power, known as “live wire testing.”
Soon, the Federal Way portion of the route will see the same activities, though many occur overnight. Next to come will be testing on the middle of the alignment, including the rail segment that includes the long-span bridge known as Structure C, the longest in the Link light rail system.
More immediately, at the end of this month in fact, South King County transit riders will shift to a new bus loop in Federal Way. Beginning March 30, and part of the spring service change, the 7,000 daily Federal Way Transit Center users of Sound Transit Express, King County Metro and Pierce Transit bus service will need to catch their bus in a new location closer to the coming Federal Way Downtown Station.
Sound Transit estimates that 75 percent of Link riders at Federal Way Downtown Station will be transferring from a bus, even with the addition of 400 new parking spaces to the existing 1,100 stall garage. The location of the bus loop adjacent to the new station supports easy transfers between buses and rail for most future riders.
Following the switch, active construction will continue in the area adjacent to the new bus loop, and pedestrian pathways will be provided to assist riders navigating from the existing parking garage to the new bus loop.
Major activities include demolishing the existing transit center bus facility and finishing the new street grid in the station area, slated for fall of this year.
The land around the station currently being used for staging and office trailers during construction will be available for transit-oriented development at project completion. This development, working closely with the city’s vision for the area, will contribute to a vibrant neighborhood connected to transit with housing, retail and community activities.
As an extension of the 1 Line, the nearly eight-mile long Federal Way Link will bring regional connections to more South Sound communities with three new stations: Kent Des Moines near Highline College, Star Lake, and Federal Way Downtown. Selected travel times include Federal Way Downtown Station to Sea-Tac Airport in 16 minutes and Kent Des Moines to Downtown Seattle in 42 minutes.
Here are some more recent photos of the project:
