Sound Transit is extending Link light rail nearly 10 miles from Federal Way to the Tacoma Dome Station area. The route will mostly use elevated tracks with new light rail stations in South Federal Way, Fife, and Tacoma, as well as park-and-rides in South Federal Way and Tacoma. Key elements of the project include transit integration, assessment of multimodal access opportunities, and transit-oriented development at light rail stations. The project is being coordinated with multiple agencies including WSDOT; the cities of Federal Way, Fife, and Tacoma; Pierce Transit; King County Metro; and the Port of Tacoma.
Parametrix was the task lead for station design and multimodal access planning as well as NEPA/SEPA reviews and environmental compliance. In partnership with FTA, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, and others, the team evaluated the existing conditions and environmental impacts of 51 station and alignment alternatives. The project corridor has environments varying from suburban to urban, including the Puyallup Indian Reservation and areas with higher levels of minority or low-income populations. The corridor also crosses environmentally sensitive areas with wetlands, streams with endangered species, floodplains, historic properties, and cultural and archaeological resources.
Parametrix also led the EIS for a new operations and maintenance facility to serve the expanding light rail system. The EIS evaluates land use, transportation, natural resource, and utility impacts of three alternative sites. Each site is located within varying suburban to urban environments, including areas with higher levels of minority or low-income populations, and environmentally sensitive areas.