Sound Transit Advances Opening of Federal Way Link Extension

The Sound Transit Board has approved plans to advance the opening of the Federal Way Link Extension in the Seattle metropolitan area, aiming to begin passenger service as early as winter 2025.

The extension will add approximately eight miles of light rail service south from Angle Lake to Federal Way, including three new stations at Kent Des Moines, Star Lake, and Downtown Federal Way.

The decision follows progress in system integration testing, which is nearing completion. The project is now entering its pre-revenue testing phase.

Sound Transit Board Vice Chair and Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello said:

We’re glad to see the Federal Way Link Extension bringing light rail closer to people travelling to and from Pierce County. The sooner we expand our regional transit network, the sooner people can connect to jobs, housing and recreation opportunities throughout the Puget Sound.

Meanwhile, work continues on the East Link Crosslake Connection, which remains scheduled to open in early 2026. This segment will complete the 2 Line by connecting East King County with Seattle via the I-90 floating bridge.

Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said:

Sound Transit is proving its ability to assess the way projects are progressing in real time and pivot quickly to provide people throughout the region with more transit options. This resequencing of opening dates reflects the actual status of each of the projects and allows us to continue moving them both forward in the most efficient way possible.

The Federal Way Link Extension primarily follows an elevated alignment and extends the 1 Line further south from SeaTac. Once the East Link Crosslake Connection is complete, the full 2 Line will run between the Eastside and downtown Seattle, incorporating Mercer Island and Judkins Park stations and linking with the 1 Line at the International District/Chinatown Station.