Sound Transit’s Federal Way light-rail extension gets physical connection to existing network
With eyes toward the start of service in 2024, crews made a meaningful connection on the Sound Transit Federal Way light-rail extension with the installation of three 124-foot girders at Angle Lake that mark a physical connection between the extension and the existing 1 Line.
"Up and down I-5 and at our current southern terminus at Angle Lake, everyone can see that the dream is becoming real," said Sound Transit Board Chair and University Place Councilmember Kent Keel. "After we bring light rail to Federal Way, next up we’ll build fast, efficient light-rail service all the way to the Tacoma Dome."
The 7.8-mile Federal Way light-rail extension will feature three new stations serving Des Moines, Kent and Federal Way. Sound Transit held a virtual groundbreaking for the extension in July 2020 with heavy civil construction getting underway in October of that same year.
"It is exciting to see this new line taking shape and connecting into the existing line. This is another big step for connecting South King County residents to stations across the whole region," said Sound Transit Board member and King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove.
Kiewit Infrastructure West is the design/build contractor for the Federal Way Link Extension. The $3.1-billion project budget includes up to $790 million from a Full Funding grant agreement executed by the Federal Transit Administration. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Build America Bureau executed a $629.5-million low-interest loan supporting the project.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
