Sound Transit Board identifies preferred alternative for Tacoma Dome Link Extension

The Sound Transit Board today identified its preferred light rail route and station locations for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension, which will extend light rail service about 10 miles from Federal Way to Tacoma and includes four new stations. The project now enters the preliminary engineering and final environmental impact statement phase for further study. The identification of a preferred alternative indicates the direction the Sound Transit Board is currently leaning. The Board will select the project to build after publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), anticipated in 2027.

The Board considered comments from tribes, the public and agencies, as well as analysis in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement in its action. Extensive coordination was also undertaken with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, as a large portion of the route and two stations are located on their reservation. Close coordination with the tribe will continue throughout every phase of the project.

“This vote marks a major milestone toward establishing light rail service to all three counties in the Sound Transit district,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “It’s also another step forward in building the regional light rail spine that voters approved.”

"Today’s Board action is a critical step toward delivering the Tacoma Dome Link Extension for Pierce County,” said Sound Transit Board Vice Chair and Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello. “This project is essential to improving daily commutes, expanding access to jobs and strengthening our economic ties to the greater Puget Sound region.  I remain committed to ensuring this investment meets the needs of Pierce County communities and helps build a more connected, prosperous future for our residents.”

Sound Transit Board Vice Chair, System Expansion Committee Chair and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci said, “Today’s vote stands as another landmark on the path to truly regional transit. As we enter the final environmental impact analysis, we remain fully committed to honoring the sovereign rights of the Puyallup Tribe, working closely with our governmental partners and continuing public outreach with surrounding communities and our riders.”

“This action brings us one step closer to delivering our shared vision of a world-class, three-county light rail system. The Tacoma Dome extension will seamlessly connect Pierce County to SeaTac, Seattle, the Eastside, Lynnwood and, ultimately, Everett. It will transform regional travel so fundamentally that we’ll wonder how we ever did without it,” said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine.

The Board identified the Tacoma Dome Link extension preferred alternative as the following:

• In South Federal Way:
  • The SR 99-West Alternative with the design refinement to run on the east side of SR 99 in Milton; with a South Federal Way station on the south side of South 352nd Street.
• In Fife:
  • The Fife I-5 Alternative and the Fife Station in the vicinity of 15^th Street East and 59^th Avenue East.
• In Tacoma:
  • The Portland Avenue Station
  • The route and Tacoma Dome station n the “Tacoma Close-to-Sounder” location.

Detailed information on the preferred alternative for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension is included in the Board motion at this link. 

Overall project information can be found here.