🚈 Light Rail Progress: Federal Way

If you commute between South King County and Seattle, big changes are on the horizon. Sound Transit has confirmed that the Federal Way Link extension is officially set to open in December 2025 — and it’s bringing faster, easier connections for thousands of riders.

🚉 What’s Opening First

The extension will add new stops in:

• Kent/Des Moines

• Star Lake (Kent/272nd Street)

• Federal Way Transit Center

This means that once the line opens, riders will be able to get from Federal Way to Sea-Tac Airport in just 18 minutes — a major improvement for both commuters and travelers.

⏳ Tacoma Still Waiting

For commuters hoping to see light rail finally reach Tacoma, the wait isn’t over yet. Right now, Sound Transit estimates the Tacoma Dome connection won’t be complete until 2035.

That timeline has frustrated some residents who’ve long hoped for a faster link between Tacoma and the broader Puget Sound region. In the meantime, Tacoma riders will still rely on express buses and existing transit options to connect with the light rail network.

🌟 Why It Matters

The Federal Way extension is a key milestone in the long-term project to connect Tacoma to Seattle by light rail. Even though the Dome link is still a decade away, this December’s opening will:

• Expand access for South King County commuters

• Provide a faster route to Sea-Tac Airport

• Help reduce congestion on I-5 by offering more public transit options

It’s not the finish line for Tacoma, but it’s a big step forward in the broader regional plan.

📍 Federal Way Link Extension – Opening December 2025
📍 Tacoma Dome Connection – Estimated completion in 2035

📨 I’m Aaron Thomas, a local realtor keeping you updated on transit projects, new developments, and community news in the South Sound. Every Friday, we put out the South Sound Report newsletter to help you stay in the know — so you don’t have to try to stay in the know.

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