Federal Way, WA — Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension (FWLE) is nearing completion, marking a major milestone in expanding the Puget Sound region’s light rail network. The eight-mile extension will connect SeaTac to Federal Way via elevated tracks, adding three new stations in Kent Des Moines (near Highline College), Star Lake, and Downtown Federal Way.
Once operational, the FWLE will offer faster, more convenient travel across the region. Riders will be able to travel:
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From Federal Way Downtown Station to Sea-Tac Airport in just 16 minutes.
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From Kent Des Moines to Downtown Seattle in 42 minutes.
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From Federal Way Downtown Station to Downtown Seattle in 50 minutes.
The new stations will integrate seamlessly with ST Express, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit services, providing easy transfers and multimodal access. Each station will include pickup and drop-off zones, pedestrian and bike access, paratransit accommodations, and approximately 3,200 parking spaces along the route.
With the project reaching substantial completion, Sound Transit is preparing for systems and safety testing, which is expected to begin in fall 2025. Full passenger service is scheduled to begin on December 6, 2025.
In March 2025, Sound Transit also opened a new bus loop at the Federal Way Downtown Station to serve existing bus routes while construction wraps up. The old transit center was closed and demolished to make way for the final station layout, new street grid, and updated safety systems.
Sound Transit continues to collaborate with King County Metro on the South Link Connections mobility project, which aims to adapt transit service to better meet community needs once the FWLE begins service.
For questions or comments, residents can contact the project team at fwle@soundtransit.org or reach the 24-hour construction hotline at 888-298-2395.
