Feds give $100 million grant for Federal Way Link light rail extension

Siemens Industry, Inc. has completed the first new light rail vehicle (LRV) for Sound Transit, which they displayed during a media event at the Sound Transit Operations and Maintenance Fleet Facility, Wednesday, June 19, 2019. Sound Transit has ordered 152 new LRVs and plans to triple its existing fleet. Improvements on the new LRVs include more seating, larger windows, four bicycle hooks and new LED destination signs. less Siemens Industry, Inc. has completed the first new light rail vehicle (LRV) for Sound Transit, which they displayed during a media event at the Sound Transit Operations and Maintenance Fleet Facility, ... more Photo: Genna Martin, SEATTLEPI Photo: Genna Martin, SEATTLEPI Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Feds give $100 million grant for Federal Way Link light rail extension 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

The Federal Transit Administration has come through with a $100 million capital grant to support extension of Sound Transit's light rail service from its current terminus at Angle Lake station, south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 7.8 miles to Federal Way.

The capital investment grant will help carry light rail through SeaTac, DesMoines/Kent, and to Federal Way. The extension includes three stations, with trains arriving and departing every 6-8 minutes during peak hours.

The Federal Way Link is set for completion in 2024. Other benchmarks for light rail include service to the U District, Roosevelt and Northgate by 2021; service to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Overlake by 2023; and Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood by 2024.

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"With travel times of 15 minutes between Federal Way and SeaTac, and less than 45 minutes between Kent/Des Moines Station and downtown Seattle, the key federal investment will help reduce congestion in our region, while providing better options for commuters," said Sen. Maria Cantwell.

The Angle Lake station was discovered and made popular last year when upwards of 10,000 immigrant rights advocates converged for a protest demonstration at the nearby Federal Detention Center.

The crowd used light rail to disperse as the afternoon wore on and speakers from radical groups held forth.

The Federal Transit Administration has already committed to the Lynnwood Link at the north end of Sound Transit's light rail expansion.

The $100 million capital grant puts the Federal Way Link on course for a full funding grant agreement, estimated at $790 million, later this year.

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The grant was described by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., as a "down payment" and "a positive sign that the federal government will be at the table to help our leaders see this critical project through . . . "

Still, Murray, a trenchant, nonstop Trump Administration critic, said she wants the feds to be there "at the finish line."

Politicians love to announce major grants. Sens. Cantwell and Murray issued dueling announcements of the grant, each suggesting that their Senate committee assignments were crucial in leveraging the FTA.

Sound Transit put out a release quoting no fewer than four members of Washington's congressional delegation, a King County Council member and a suburban mayor.