USDOT announces intent to award $790 million grant, $629 million low-interest loan for Federal Way light rail extension

Members of Washington's congressional delegation today announced actions by the U.S. Department of Transportation to award a $790 million grant and $629 million low-interest loan to enable Sound Transit to start building light rail to Federal Way early next year.

The Federal Transit Administration on Friday transmitted a $790 million Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for Sound Transit's Federal Way Link Extension to Congress, starting a thirty-day notification period. The action highlights that the Administration intends to execute the grant once the period is complete.

Also on Friday, the U.S. Department of Transportation formally notified Congress of its intent to close a $629.5 million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for the project. This represents the fourth and final loan under our $1.99 billion TIFIA Master Credit Agreement which we signed with USDOT's Build America Bureau at the end of 2016. The agreement will save regional taxpayers between $200 and $300 million in borrowing costs over the life of our bonds.

"Securing this federal funding enables us to fulfill our promise of delivering regional light rail to the residents of South King County, said Sound Transit Board Chair and Redmond Mayor John Marchione. "The tireless advocacy of our congressional delegation was instrumental in completing this vital step to transform people's commutes and build a more prosperous future for the region."

"This is exciting news for South Sound commuters looking to get relief from ever-increasing congestion," said Sound Transit Boardmember and King County Executive Dow Constantine. "With major construction on Federal Way Link starting in the new year, this announcement means South King County will soon join a vast regional light rail network connecting all of the Central Puget Sound."

"It takes forever to travel to and from South King County because of worsening traffic jams," said Sound Transit and King County Council member Dave Upthegrove. "Thanks to this federal funding for the light rail project, an option to escape traffic gridlock in South King County is on the way."

"South King County's wait for faster and more predictable transportation options will soon be over with the completion of the Federal Way Link extension," said Sound Transit Board and King County Council member Pete von Reichbauer. "I'm thankful for our congressional delegation's efforts to complete the federal funding for this project and I'm looking forward to breaking ground on this project next year."

"A year ago, Sound Transit secured a $1.2 billion FFGA grant for Lynnwood Link. Now, we have secured a commitment from the Administration to also fund Federal Way Link thanks to the persistent efforts of our congressional delegation," said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. "I also want to thank Secretary Chao and Acting Administrator Williams for their support on expanding transit options in our region that will help commuters escape ever-worsening gridlock."

"When regional light rail comes to Federal Way in 2024, not only will our residents have more transit options, but it will transform our downtown for generations," said Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell. "Our city will begin to see this project become real when heavy construction starts next year and we are excited for the economic opportunities light-rail will bring to our residents."

"With two new stations in Kent, the Federal Way Link Extension will provide additional transportation options for the region," said Kent Mayor Dana Ralph. "The project will also help implement the revitalization for Kent's West Hill as envisioned by Kent's Midway Subarea Plan."

In advance of the FFGA approval, Congress approved $100 million in FY 2019 Capital Investment Grant funding that will represent the first installment of the grant. 
  
Trains on the 7.8-mile light rail extension from Angle Lake in SeaTac to Federal Way will serve three stations along the route in Kent/Des Moines, at South 272nd Street and at the Federal Way Transit Center. Demolition and utility relocation work began this fall, and construction is set to begin in early 2020. 

By 2021, Sound Transit will expand light rail to the U District, Roosevelt and Northgate. In 2022, Tacoma Link will expand to the Hilltop neighborhood. In 2023 trains will reach Mercer Island, Bellevue and the Overlake area. In addition to the Federal Way Link Extension, 2024 will bring the opening of extensions to Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood and Downtown Redmond. From there, continuing expansions will focus on Tacoma, West Seattle, Ballard, Everett, South Kirkland, Issaquah and Tacoma Community College, forming a 116-mile regional system by 2041. 

More information on the Federal Way Link Extension is available at www.soundtransit.org/fwlink.