Sound Transit inaugurates revenue service on Federal Way Link, bringing light rail to three new stations in South King

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County

After nine years, Link has a new southernmost terminus in Federal Way, the fifth largest city in King County, along with two new stations in Kent, the third largest city in King County, one of which will also bears the name of neighboring Des Moines.

Federal Way Link is the only the second extension that Sound Transit has debuted during the month of December. The first was Airport Link, in December 2009, which opened five months after Central Link in July of 2009. Despite breezy conditions, eager crowds turned out at all three new stations to celebrate light rail’s long awaited arrival in the southernmost neighborhoods of the county.

Many had their phones out and recording as the inaugural train rolled into Star Lake and Kent Des Moines Stations, with NPI staff, special guests, and elected officials aboard. Community festivals welcomed riders for several hours after that.

The day began early as Sound Transit and its vendors prepared a street fair at the new Federal Way Downtown Station, between the platform, its adjoining bus loop, and the station parking garage. At 9:30 AM, Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer — who has been in public office for over half a century and has a street in Federal Way named for him despite not having retired — took to the stage to begin the speaking program.

https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2025/12/sound-transit-inaugurates-revenue-service-on-federal-way-link-bringing-light-rail-to-three-new-stations-in-south-king-county.html