The 2.4-mile Tacoma Link Extension will add six new stations and five new light rail vehicles, doubling the length of the existing system.
Sound Transit
1 min to read
The 2.4-mile Tacoma Link Extension will add six new stations and five new light rail vehicles, doubling the length of the existing system.
Sound Transit
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded a $75 million grant to the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) for the Tacoma Link Extension Project, which will expand Link light rail to growing areas such as the Stadium and Hilltop District.
“Extending Tacoma Link to the Hilltop District will connect additional neighborhoods with employment centers like downtown Tacoma and the Medical Mile,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “This project will give people in the Tacoma community more options for transit and mobility in the region.”
The 2.4-mile Tacoma Link Extension will add six new stations and five new light rail vehicles, doubling the length of the existing system. Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2018, with revenue service targeted for 2022.
Sound Transit will receive $74.99 million through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. The CIG Program provides funding for major transit capital infrastructure investments nationwide. Projects accepted into the program must go through a multi-year, multi-step process according to requirements in law to be eligible for and receive program funds.
The ATP board’s approval of the KAP team enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities, including advancing design, initiating permitting, and preparing the site for future construction.
The railroad has issued a formal request for proposals to manufacturers for more than 800 new passenger railcars that will serve 14 long-distance routes nationwide.
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials.