Sound Transit, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, celebrated the opening of light rail service to the new Angle Lake Station on September 24. A dedication ceremony and inaugural train ride sponsored by Alaska Airlines, along with a City of SeaTac community celebration were held for the occasion.
The 1.6-mile rail line from Angle Lake connects to the existing 18.8-mile Link system operating between Sea-Tac Airport and the University of Washington. The station provides a 1,050 parking garage, 70 surface parking spaces, four charging stations for electric vehicles and storage for 52 bicycles. The first design-build project completed by Sound Transit included the elevated station and guideway, garage and roadway improvements.
“The Port of Seattle welcomes the extension of Sound Transit's rail line to the new Angle Lake Station. Light rail ridership to SeaTac/Airport Station keeps climbing – up 11.5 percent for the year,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman. “Making Sea-Tac more accessible is a win for the environment and a win for the traveling public, particularly with record-breaking growth at the airport.”
“Thanks to the Port of Seattle for its close collaboration on this project, and the City of SeaTac for hosting the community celebration,” said Dave Upthegrove, Sound Transit boardmember and King County councilmember. “A special thanks to Alaska Airlines for sponsoring the dedication ceremony and inaugural train ride.”
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funded $37.3 million in grants for the new line, including $10 million in TIGER funding championed by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, senior member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. Washington State provided $5.2 million in Regional Mobility Grant funding, and the Puget Sound Regional Council awarded $7 million in Congestion Mitigation Air Quality dollars for the project.
“This station opening is yet another milestone in Sound Transit's work to expand accessible transportation options to families in the Puget Sound region, and builds on our larger effort to invest in transportation projects that ease congestion, make communities safer, and create jobs,” stated Senator Murray. “I'm proud to support this step toward providing transit that is safe, reliable, and ready to meet 21st century needs in the South Sound.”
Riders using the new elevated Angle Lake Station will reach Sea-Tac Airport in four minutes, Westlake Station downtown in 41 minutes, and the University of Washington Station at Husky Stadium in 48 minutes.