Tell Sound Transit that Light Rail needs to make it to Tacoma

City of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 04/08/2026 04:35 PM PDT

CM Rumbaugh and her husband Stan on the light rail

Hi District 2,

Take the survey and tell Sound Transit they need to prioritize light rail expansion to Tacoma!

Us Tacomans are so ready for transit. Have you had a chance to hop on the light rail in Federal Way? It might technically be the Federal Way Downtown Station, but I call it the “NE Tacoma Station” because it’s so close to those of us who live in NE Tacoma. From there, it’s just 16 minutes to Sea-Tac airport, and 50 minutes to Downtown Seattle. Stan and I take it to go to Sounders games!

I can’t wait for light rail to be built out further so that it stops right in the heart of downtown. The Tacoma Dome Link Extension represents more than a terminus. It’s planned as the region’s primary multimodal hub, connecting light rail with regional and local transit, including the T Line, and linking riders to downtown Tacoma, major employers, educational institutions, and healthcare services. That’s just one reason the City of Tacoma recently sent a letter to Sound Transit saying in no uncertain terms that Tacoma cares deeply about its transit future, and as Sound Transit works to address the agency’s current financial challenges, our community will not accept delays that disproportionately impact the South Sound.

Sincerely,

Sarah Rumbaugh
Tacoma City Council Member, District 2

Tell Sound Transit Tacoma cares about transit!

Right now, Sound Transit is requesting feedback on updates to the Sound Transit System Plan. Since the approval of ST3, the world has changed. Unprecedented inflation, rising construction and labor costs, and a pandemic created a significant gap in Sound Transit’s long-term budget. Current estimates show a funding gap of approximately $34.5 billion over the next 20 years.

The Sound Transit Board has been discussing tradeoffs on how they address that budget gap. Everything is being discussed, including completing the Tacoma Dome Link Expansion, expanding the T-Line to Tacoma Community College, and enhanced bus services through our region. Take the survey and tell Sound Transit what you want them to prioritize!

This is a hot topic right now in District 2, and I have also been encouraging people who ask about what they can do to write directly to the Sound Transit board at emailtheboard@soundtransit.org.

Show up and make your voice heard

Flyer for Transit Town Hall "The Future of Light Rail in Pierce County"

Join Transportation Choices Coalition and Tacoma on the Go for their Sound Transit Pierce County Town Hall!

Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: MLG 110, UW Tacoma
Address: 1950 S C St, Tacoma, WA 98402

Sound Transit is navigating a critical phase in determining what the future of light rail will look like. Following announced cost overruns of around $35 billion for the long range plan, the agency is reassessing how to deliver the transit system voters approved while facing real financial and logistical challenges. Although Light Rail is on Pierce County’s doorstep, decisions will need to be made by Sound Transit board members that will affect completing the spine to Tacoma, the Sounder, the T Line, and system expansion as a whole.

This is your chance to learn what is on the table and ask questions to Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, Tacoma City Council Member Kristina Walker, and Sound Transit staff.

What is happening with the Tacoma Dome Link Extension?

I am asked all the time about the Tacoma Dome Link Extension, and I am as excited as all of you to see it reach Tacoma. At its June 26 meeting, the Sound Transit Board of Directors identified a preferred alternative for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension (TDLE). The Preferred Alternative includes: 

South Federal Way (SF) Segment: SF 99-West alignment with a design refinement to transition the alignment to the east side of SR 99 near the King/Pierce County line and the SF 99-352nd Station.
Fife Segment: Fife I-5 alignment with the Fife Station.
Tacoma Segment: Close to Sounder alignment with the Portland Avenue Station and Close to Sounder Station.

The identification of a preferred alternative is not a final decision on the project to be built. This action indicates where the Board is leaning based on the information available at this time. The Board will make a final decision on the project to be built after the evaluation of the Preferred Alternative and other alternatives in the Final EIS, expected in 2027.

Sound Transit continues to advance project design and fieldwork in preparation for the Final EIS. They will continue to work with Tribal Nations, local jurisdictions, property owners, and community members throughout the project corridor.

Stay tuned for details on upcoming station area planning workshops, and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to subscribe to project updates to stay informed.