Federal Way light rail opens this weekend with 3 new stations
Dec 1, 2025, 9:35 AM
A light rail vehicle parked on the alignment during the construction of the Star Lake Station. (Photo courtesy of Sound Transit)
(Photo courtesy of Sound Transit)
Sound Transit’s Link light rail extension to Federal Way will begin service this weekend, with three new stations being unveiled on Saturday.
The three new stations in South King County include Kent Des Moines, Star Lake, and downtown Federal Way, Sound Transit announced.
“Today’s announcement on Federal Way shows that the region continues to make significant progress toward our mass transit goals,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “This is one more step in completing the spine and providing relief from gridlock and more travel options for our residents. I look forward to the day we open Everett, Tacoma, and the other key elements of the Sound Transit 3 package.”
The 7.8-mile Link 1 Line extension will provide multiple transit connections to all three of the new stations and will operate every eight minutes during peak hours.
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Kent Des Moines Station
The new Kent Des Moines Station will be located east of I-5 at S. 236th Street on the border of Kent and Des Moines.
This location will serve Highline College and also includes a 500-space parking garage.
Additionally, a 233-unit affordable housing project from Mercy Housing Northwest is slated to begin this winter.
Star Lake Station
The Star Lake Station will be located at S. 272nd Street and 26th Avenue, serving as an interchange for Link, Sound Transit Express, King County Metro, and park-and-ride commuters.
The new station features a bike and pedestrian path to the station’s plaza, connections to the existing freeway station, and a 1,100-space parking garage.
Downtown Federal Way Station
This location is situated at the Federal Way Transit Center and will serve one of the busiest transit centers in the region.
The station will include 400 new parking spaces, in addition to its current garages, public restrooms, pedestrian and bicycle improvements, opportunities for affordable housing, and transit-oriented development.
Sound Transit will host an opening day celebration on Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m., with service beginning at 11 a.m.
Trains will run every eight to 15 minutes, from 5 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
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