The Federal Way Link Extension (FWLE) is Sound Transit’s largest design-build project and extends transit service 7.8 miles from Seattle-Tacoma Airport’s existing Angle Lake Station to Federal Way. The extension, which began construction in July 2020 and is now open to commuters, connects the South Puget Sound communities, alleviates congestion on Interstate 5, creates more regional connectivity and provides reliable, rapid and efficient transportation services—giving Seattle residents a better way to get around the city.
The project features three new stations: Kent Des Moines, Star Lake and Downtown Federal Way, as well as combined 3,200 parking spaces and connections to other transit services. This extension is part of the city’s larger commitment to build a 252-mile regional light rail network that will ultimately connect three counties.
Sound Transit and Kiewit selected Atlas to perform quality, environmental, engineering and survey support on the project. Atlas provided the following elements, among others:
- Elevated Guideway.
- Stations and Garages.
- Ballasted and Direct Fixation Track.
- Communication systems.
- Fire alarms.
- Traction power systems.
- Shop and field welding.
- Elevators and escalators.
- Piling.
- Asphalt.
- Concrete.
- Soils.
- Post-tensioning placement and steel reinforcement.
- Station, platform and track interface clearance.
- Torque testing and more.
In the numbers
40,000 inspections
the number of inspections completed
163,00 cubic yards
the amount of concrete poured
37,652 concrete casts
the number of concrete cylinders tested
0 quality concerns
Learn More and See the Work in Action
- Atlas Article: Seattle’s Ready to Ride: Q&A with Slava Kurkov
- Sound Transit Federal Way Link light rail flyover tour video