The Tacoma Dome Link Extension (TDLE) project is currently in the environmental review phase of planning. As part of this phase, Sound Transit develops conceptual design and prepares an Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates the potential impacts of the project. Through this work, we found the need to consider more station options in Fife and an additional route and associated station option in the South Federal Way/Milton area. There are no other alternatives being proposed in Tacoma.
The Sound Transit Board will review these potential additions before acting on March 23 to identify if they should be studied in the EIS.
Learn more and get involved by March 17
To learn more about the potential new route and station alternatives in Fife and South Federal Way, visit tdlink.participate.online now through March 17. The online open house is also available in Spanish, Korean, Khmer and Russian.
You can also attend an informational drop-in session to learn more:
- Milton/ Edgewood Library: Wednesday, March 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Federal Way Community Center: Tuesday, March 14 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Poodle Dog Restaurant: Wednesday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It would take additional time to bring the potential station options and additional route alternative up to the same level of evaluation as the existing alternatives. If the Board identifies additional alternatives for study, Sound Transit anticipates publishing the Draft EIS in 2024. When the Draft EIS is published, there will be an opportunity to make formal public comments on the project that will be sent to the Sound Transit Board for consideration. This delay would also impact the start of service for the Tacoma Dome Link, which we now anticipate opening in 2035.
An Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS for short, provides Tribal Nations, agencies and the public an understanding of a project's potential impacts to the natural and built environment, and it identifies ways to mitigate unavoidable impacts. Through this process, we analyze each alternative and design option, considering things like effects on historic and cultural resources, residential properties, businesses, communities, the local economy and other resources.
We expect to publish the Draft EIS in mid-2024, at which time we'll also invite Tribal Nations, agencies and the public to provide formal comments. We'll then prepare a Final EIS, which will include updates as needed, further evaluation of the preferred alternative identified by the Board following comments on the Draft EIS, and of the other alternatives considered in the Draft EIS. The Final EIS will also include responses to substantive public, agency and tribal comments submitted on the Draft EIS.
After publication of the Final EIS, the Sound Transit Board will select the project to be built, informed by the EIS analyses and public, tribal and agency comments.
The Tacoma Dome Link Extension will add nearly 10 miles to our regional light rail system via mostly elevated tracks between Federal Way and Tacoma. This project includes four new light rail stations in the South Federal Way, Fife, East Tacoma / Portland Avenue and Tacoma Dome areas. These stations will also provide connections to other regional transit services like the Sounder S Line, the Link T Line, ST Express, King County Metro, Pierce Transit, Intercity Transit and Amtrak.
Keep your eye out for future project updates and encourage your friends, family and fellow community members to subscribe.
We’re always interested in talking with the community. Request a briefing for your community group to learn more about the project and how you can stay involved.
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