The Federal Way Downtown Station opened on December 6, extending Seattle’s Link Light Rail and adding on to its impressive reputation as one of the nation’s best transit systems. Between its two lines, the Link network totals almost 55 miles, 41 of which are covered by the 1 line, which now goes from Lynnwood to Federal Way. The remaining fourteen miles make up the 2 line, stretching from downtown Redmond to south Bellevue.

The new addition makes Seattle’s light rail network one of three largest in the US, along with LA and Dallas. However, Sound Transit’s plans extend far beyond the current two lines; they are aiming for roughly 116 miles of rails over at least five different lines. Currently, the organization is constructing a connection over Lake Washington between the 1 and 2 lines, which will provide a route from Seattle to Mercer Island and Bellevue. The addition, which runs across the I-90 floating bridge, is projected to open in April 2026.

Among their more ambitious objectives, Sound Transit also aims to add extensions to West Seattle and Ballard, with their projected completion dates set in 2032 and 2037. Long term projects like this take large investments from the city, and, as the project progresses, costs have continued to rise. As a result of construction setbacks and increased tariffs, the projected cost of the plan from 2017-2046 has risen to $142.2 Billion. Fortunately for Sound Transit, the combination of continuous voter approval and city funding have allowed them to pursue the largest megaproject in Seattle History.