29 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Federal Way, WA Mirror, 9/23/10:

Sound Transit announced Thursday that dipping revenues will impact 2008's Sound Transit 2 transportation package, likely preventing light rail from reaching Federal Way by 2023.

More here.

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 11/8/12:

Sound Transit is launching a process to work with South King County communities in Washington State to consider options for extending high-capacity transit service.

Story

Note the story does not explicitly say it will be light rail (one goal of the "process" is to define the mode), but there would be little sense in making this a bus route. Keep the light rail going south to Federal Way, and eventually Tacoma.

[KevinKorell]

Sound Transit website:

Sound Transit is hosting a series of neighborhood events tonight through Mar. 27 to provide opportunities for the public to learn about the process to evaluate alternatives for future transit service between SeaTac and Federal Way.

Continue

[KevinKorell]

Sound Transit website:

Sound Transit is conducting two open houses this month to seek public comment on its evaluation of alternatives to extend Link light rail from SeaTac to the Kent/Des Moines and Federal Way areas.

Continue

[KevinKorell]

From Sound Transit:

Federal Way Transit Extension update

Sound Transit is evaluating alternatives to extend light rail from the future Angle Lake light rail station at South 200th Street in SeaTac to the Federal Way Transit Center, a distance of about 7.6 miles. Currently, there is projected funding to build the extension to Kent/Des Moines.

There is still time to submit your comments on the alternatives and the highest priority issues Sound Transit should consider as it conducts environmental review.
•Complete an online scoping survey
•Email: FWTE@soundtransit.org
•Mail your comment to: Sound Transit, Attn. Kent Hale, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104

The 30-day comment period ends, Wednesday, July 17, 2013.

Thank you for your feedback.

[KevinKorell]

Sound Transit:

Federal Way Transit Extension update

Sound Transit is evaluating alternatives to extend light rail from the future Angle Lake light rail station at South 200th Street in SeaTac to the Federal Way Transit Center, a distance of about 7.6 miles. Currently, there is projected funding to build the extension to Kent/Des Moines.

There is still time to submit your comments on the alternatives and the highest priority issues Sound Transit should consider as it conducts environmental review.
•Complete an online scoping survey
•Email: FWTE@soundtransit.org
•Mail your comment to: Sound Transit, Attn. Kent Hale, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104

The 30-day comment period ends, Wednesday, July 17, 2013.

Thank you for your feedback.

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 3/17/14:

Sound Transit is hosting a series of neighborhood "drop-in" meetings through April 17 to educate the public about the agency's alternatives for a light-rail extension from SeaTac to Federal Way.

Story

[KevinKorell]

 

 

 

PROJECT UPDATE: Federal Way Link Extension

Sound Transit is planning to extend light rail from the future Angle Lake Station (opening in 2016) at South 200th Street in SeaTac to the Kent/Des Moines area by 2023. The project also develops a shovel-ready plan for extending light rail to the vicinity of the Federal Way Transit Center when additional funding is secured. For the past few months, Sound Transit staff has been meeting with affected property owners about the potential impacts of the alternatives and will continue our outreach efforts until Sound Transit’s Board identifies a preferred alternative in summer 2015.

Key dates:

• Spring – release of Draft Environmental Impact Statement; 45-day public comment begins
• Spring – public hearings in Federal Way and Des Moines (details to be provided in March)
• Summer – Sound Transit’s Board identifies a preferred alternative and station options

For more information

For more information about the Federal Way Link Extension project, please contact Tralayne Myers at 206-398-5014 or tralayne.myers@soundtransit.org.

You can also visit the Federal Way Link Extension webpage.

 

[KevinKorell]

Sound Transit press release:

 

 

Draft Environmental Impact Statement released for extending light rail to Kent/Des Moines, Federal Way

April 10, 2015

 

Public hearings, interactive website offer options for commenting on route and station options through May 26

 

Sound Transit and the Federal Transit Administration today published the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for extending Link light rail to Kent/Des Moines and, when funding is available, to Federal Way. The public can now review and comment on the DEIS at upcoming public hearings, through interactive web tools and by email or regular mail through May 26.

 

Public meetings

Wednesday, May 6
4-7 p.m. - Public hearing begins at 5:30 p.m.
Federal Way Community Center
876 S. 333rd St.
Federal Way

 

Thursday, May 7
4-7 p.m. - Public hearing begins at 5:30 p.m.

Highline College
Student Union Building
2400 S. 240th St.
Des Moines

 

Interactive web tools

In addition to holding public meetings, Sound Transit is offering interactive web tools for viewing and commenting on alternatives and station options. Users can go to federalwaylink.org to watch a simulated video, build a route from alternatives and station options, and submit comments using an online form.

The public can also email comments to FWLE@soundtransit.org, or mail them to Federal Way Link Extension, Draft EIS Comments, Sound Transit, 401 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98104.

 

The public comment period will run from April 10 through May 26.

 

The DEIS provides a detailed analysis of the potential benefits and impacts of the project, which would extend light rail service 7.6 miles south of the future Angle Lake Station in the City of SeaTac through a corridor that parallels Interstate 5 and State Route 99. The DEIS includes four alternatives with various station and alignment options. It details how the project might affect transportation, economic development, properties in the study area, and other natural and built environment resources. Ridership potential and conceptual cost comparisons are also included.

 

In 2008 voters approved the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure, which included plans for extending light rail south from the City of SeaTac to Kent/Des Moines and the northern boundary of Federal Way. After the recession wiped out 29 percent in projected ST2 revenues, the agency realigned its program. While funding to construct light rail south of Kent/Des Moines was no longer available, the Board allocated $24 million to develop a shovel-ready plan for extending light rail further south to the Federal Way Transit Center when funding for construction is secured.

 

Following the comment period, the Sound Transit Board is scheduled to identify a preferred alternative this summer. A Final Environmental Impact Statement is planned for release in mid-2016, with the Board selecting the project to be built later that year. Final design will begin in 2017 and construction in 2019, with service to Kent/Des Moines beginning in 2023.

 

By 2023, Sound Transit will be operating nearly 50 miles of light rail service northward to the University of Washington, Northgate and Lynnwood, eastward to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond's Overlake area, and southward to Kent/Des Moines. Link is expected to carry more than 80 million riders annually by 2030.

 

The Federal Way Link Extension DEIS is available at the Des Moines, Kent, Woodmont, Federal Way, Federal Way 320th, and Washington State libraries, and online at federalwaylink.org.

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 4/13/15:

 

Sound Transit eyes routes for light-rail extension to Federal Way

 

Sound Transit has begun laying the groundwork for yet another light-rail extension with the release late last week of a new draft environmental impact statement.

The document looks at four build alternatives routes for extending light-rail service 7.6 miles south of the future Angle Lake Station to the transit center in Federal Way, Wash.

 

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