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Sound Transit Federal Way Link project nears completion in Kent; testing and traffic mitigation planned before 2026 opening
Summary
City staff showed drone images of Kent Des Moines and Star Lake stations, new concrete streets and station art; traffic mitigation and signal projects tied to the extension will be constructed before revenue service, which Sound Transit estimates to begin in early 2026.
Kelly Peterson and project staff updated the council on the Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension work within Kent. Peterson said the project — split into segments with stations at Kent Des Moines and Star Lake within Kent — includes new concrete streets, parking garages with solar panels, integrated public art and protected sidewalks tied to transit access.
The presentation included drone photographs comparing pre‑construction conditions with current work and noted structure changes required because of soil/soil‑span conditions on a section over I‑5. Peterson described traffic mitigation projects (dual right‑turn lane at Northbound SR‑99 to Eastbound Kent‑Des Moines Road; westbound Wreath to northbound Military right‑turn lane; signal work near SR‑99/I‑5) that must be finished before revenue service; some mitigations will proceed as separate contracts with construction expected this year.
Staff noted testing of rail vehicles will occur for about a year before revenue service and that Sound Transit estimates an early‑2026 opening for passenger service. Peterson said final closeout work (as‑builts, boundary adjustments, street vacations/dedications) will continue and the city will coordinate signal interconnections and other traffic system integrations triggered by the project. Several councilmembers praised project teams and noted visual improvements in project areas; no formal action was required other than receiving the update.
