Project update: Federal Way Link Extension

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Project update

Check out progress on the Federal Way Link Extension Project

Aerial photo of SeaTac Light Rail girders

From Angle Lake to Federal Way, our construction crews are getting it done! Watch this video for a bird’s eye view

This FWLE Corridor video was taken in January 2023 and takes you on a sky-high ride all the way across the 7.8-mile Federal Way Link Extension. From Angle Lake Station to downtown Federal Way, our construction crews are making great progress. Click the links below for highlights.

  • 0:05 – All the girders have been placed for the elevated guideway at Structure A. The current work in this area is installation of track.
  • 0:16 – Initial track ballast installation is ongoing South of Structure A. In the drone video, the ballast cart, tamper, and regulator can be seen getting ready to work on ballast (large angular rock to lock in the track ties).
  • 0:38 – Ties and rail have been placed for the Northbound tracks in Segment 1.
  • 1:12 – As the video approaches the Kent Des Moines (KDM) Station Garage, on the left there is a good view of the external cladding that is being installed. It is the orange metal screening that is on the left portion of the garage.
  • 1:15 – Work on the KDM Station continues mostly inside the station with plumbing and electrical. All the structural steel has been installed at the station.
  • 1:26 – At the South portion of Structure B, the second track team is working on plinth installation (concrete blocks that support the tracks). Also, there’s a great view of Rainier!
  • 1:43 – At Midway Landfill, this section is all ready for ballast track installation within the coming weeks.
  • 2:06 – Work on the North abutment of Structure C is ongoing.
  • 2:26 – The main focus of the Star Lake Auxiliary Building is currently CMU placement.
  • 2:31 – For the Star Lake Station, the work is progressing to the platform concrete pours. At the Star Lake Garage, work is ongoing on Level 5, the final level.
  • 3:14 – A deck pour is happening on Structure E.
  • 4:21 – Work on the Federal Way Downtown Garage expansion is progressing.
  • 4:23 – At the Federal Way Downtown Station, a majority of the current work is inside the station including plumbing and electrical installation. 

Loyal to the Local

Photo of Mark and Debbie Walsh of General Transmission, used for Loyal to the Local advertisement
Text and word art advertisement for Loyal to the Local


When you shop local, you help your neighborhood businesses grow and thrive. Why is that important? Because these businesses depend on people like you, and shopping local means you're helping your community as well. So, instead of driving across town, keep it local and shop with the incredible businesses along the FWLE project corridor.

Are you Loyal to the Local? Check out this list for more details.


Meet the Federal Way Link Extension Community Engagement Team

image of people standing in a group posing


We have an awesome team with some familiar and some new faces. We want you to know who you should contact with comments or questions.

From left to right in the photo:

  • My Nguyen – Senior Community Engagement Specialist / Servicing City of Federal Way -  "I am a big sports fanatic; I enjoy partaking in sports and spectating."
  • Jan Glasper – Community Engagement Specialist / Servicing City of Kent - "I have been with ST almost 4 years. I like to play tennis and get my kite in the air in my free time."
  • Alonzo Buckner – Community Engagement Specialist / Servicing Cities of SeaTac and Des Moines - "I have been with ST for over 7 years and previously worked in 3 other departments."
  • Ryan Lescouflair – Capital Project Engagement Manager, East & South Corridor - "I have been with ST for 5 years having come from East Link. I enjoy a good coffee, video games and a good book."

Art Concept Update

image of federal way art installation showing a statue of a dog balancing a car on it's nose,  a cloud, and an image of the artist
  • Donald Lipski has developed a new artwork concept for the plaza at the Federal Way Downtown Station.
  • This is an entirely new design concept and is still in the early stages of development. The piece will not be installed before the end of 2024 at the earliest, and there is much design development to be done before the piece moves into fabrication.
  • The design is focused on light, color and glass and is meant to create a welcoming experience for passengers and community members.
  • Over the last few years, Donald has talked with community members, read responses to the STart community survey and done some research to better understand what might resonate with Federal Way. Donald’s new concept seeks to be an iconic landmark that will give residents, visitors and transit riders a sense of joy and wonder.
  • Donald is a nationally award-winning artist who has been creating public art all over the country for over 30 years. He approaches his work with a sense of humor, and often takes objects that you see in everyday life and transforms them in unexpected ways.
  • Any questions about the design should be directed to Ashley Long, Project Manager for the Sound Transit Art Program.

RFP for the Angle Lake Station retail space

Image of people walking around Angle Lake Station with the link light rail passing by.


The Sound Transit Art Program (STart) is planning for a performance space at Angle Lake Station. Dubbed the Roadhouse, the space will follow in the long tradition of music venues in South King County. STart is seeking a performance manager for the space via a Request For Proposals (RFP).

The STart Performance Space at Angle Lake Station Roadhouse RFP is anticipated to go live tomorrow! The RFP is posted on our opportunities page and can be viewed by registered vendors through Sound Transit’s Biddingo Vendor Portal at http://vendorportal.soundtransit.org.
There is no fee to get registered or access the RFP documents. If you need help registering, please contact Biddingo at (323) 206-4114 or info@biddingo.com.

Please send any questions to Ray Fernandez at (206)398-5093 or Raymund.fernandez@soundtransit.org.


Advancing transit-oriented development at Kent Des Moines Station: RFPs released

Image of people walking around at Kent Des Moines Station


Once construction of the Federal Way Link Extension is complete, property near the Kent Des Moines Station that is currently being used for construction staging will be available for redevelopment. Building on community engagement work in 2020 and 2021, we prepared a vision and strategy for mixed-use, mixed-income development next to the station. New development will prioritize affordable housing and is expected to include new retail and commercial uses and help create value for the community. With approval of the strategy by the Sound Transit Board of Directors, we have now released two Requests for Proposal (RFP) seeking a development partner for each of the two development sites. Through these competitive selection processes, our aim is to find a great development team for each site and be ready to begin development after completion of FWLE.

Learn more about Kent Des Moines TOD


Riding transit – new ORCA card retail locations and finding the right fare for you!

Image of a hand holding different types of ORCA cards


ORCA card, the Puget Sound’s all-in-one transit card, is now available at eight new locations, including select Haggen, Boost Mobile and Chevron stores. For the latest information about stores that sell ORCA and to find a convenient retail location, visit https://www.myorca.com/where-to-buy/.

All customers save money on transit by using the ORCA card, with built-in transfer credit and daily and monthly passes. And with reduced fare programs for youth, seniors, customers with disabilities and lower incomes, there’s an ORCA card for every budget. To learn more and find the right fare for you, visit https://info.myorca.com/using-orca/ways-to-save/.


More project info: soundtransit.org/fwlink
Get in touch: fwle@soundtransit.org or 206-398-5465