Tacoma Dome Access Improvements

Tacoma Dome Access Improvements

Map labeling the five Priority 1 Projects including improvements to the Puyallup Avenue Corridor, station wayfinding, the East D Street railroad crossing, bicycle and pedestrian facilities on East D Street and E McKinley Way, and pedestrian facilities on 25th Street between A Street to Pacific Avenue.
Map labeling the five Priority 1 Projects including improvements to the Puyallup Avenue Corridor, station wayfinding, the East D Street railroad crossing, bicycle and pedestrian facilities on East D Street and E McKinley Way, and pedestrian facilities on 25th Street between A Street to Pacific Avenue.

Tacoma Dome Access Improvements project updates

This project is not affected by the Enterprise Initiative and is advancing as planned.

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Overview

Sound Transit is partnering with the City of Tacoma to improve access to the Tacoma Dome Station area through the Tacoma Dome Access Improvements (TDAI) project. Improvements may include up to 300 new surface parking stalls and easier, safer ways to walk, roll, bike, and ride transit to and from the station area.

TDAI is funded by the Sound Transit 2 (ST2) program, approved by voters in 2008. TDAI is part of the Sound Transit 2 (ST2) program. ST2 dedicates funding to a mix of projects that will improve access to the Tacoma Dome Station area, including better sidewalks and crossings, improved bike connections, and potential new surface parking near the station. This project will support access for passengers riding Sounder commuter rail, T Line light rail, Sound Transit Express and Pierce Transit buses, Amtrak intercity rail service, and the future Tacoma Dome Link Extension.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, ridership and parking demand have decreased, with Tacoma Dome Station and nearby Pierce Transit parking typically half full. We expect parking demand to grow once the larger Link light rail system extends in 2035. The TDAI project addresses this future demand while improving non-motorized options for accessing the station area. 

Proposed future improvements

This project will advance a set of potential improvements, including:

  • Up to 300 new surface parking spaces.
  • Pedestrian, bicycle, ADA-accessible, or other transit-related improvements, including:
    • Upgraded sidewalks and crossings within ¼ mile of the station.
    • Better bike connections within ½ mile of the station.
    • More accessible wayfinding to support people of all abilities.
    • Additional transit and transfer facilities at the station.
    • Transit speed and reliability upgrades.

Current project status

Sound Transit collected public input on potential TDAI projects in fall 2024 through online and in-person engagement. Community members expressed strong support for pedestrian and bicycle improvements, including safer and easier ways to walk, roll, bike, and take transit in the Tacoma Dome Station area. This feedback, along with technical analysis and coordination with the City of Tacoma, helped inform refinements to the Priority 1 Project List. 

Sound Transit has also completed a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Checklist, supporting technical documentation, and 10% design for the proposed improvements. Based on this environmental review, Sound Transit, as the SEPA lead agency, determined that the project is not expected to have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment and issued a Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS). In early 2026, Sound Transit collected public comments on the SEPA Checklist and DNS. Learn more in the Spring 2026 Public Engagement Summary.  

The Sound Transit Board approved the proposed Priority 1 Project List on April 23, 2026. Later this year, Sound Transit expects to return to the Board to seek approval for project funding and an agreement with the City of Tacoma to design and construct the improvements.