Delivering accessible transit to one of the region's most diverse and affordability-challenged areas
Sound Transit
PRR provided construction communications for the Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension, a 7.8-mile design-build light rail project that added three new stations and three parking garages to Sound Transit's 1 Line. FWLE expands regional mobility by connecting South King County communities to education, employment, healthcare, services, the airport, and cultural destinations.
The Situation
A lifeline for the communities that rely on transit most
For communities that rely on transit most, FWLE is more than infrastructure—it is a lifeline for equity and growth. But it was also long-term ongoing construction; sometimes day and night.
The Opportunity
Big construction, bigger benefits
PRR led construction communications to make sure neighbors knew what to expect and support resolution of any disproportionate impacts. This included frequent touch points with communities through door-to-door flyering and neighborhood pop-ups at key milestones to support better understanding of the overall project, timeline and upcoming construction activities. Events within communities were meant to offer a welcoming and engaging atmosphere by offering hot chocolate during the colder months, ice pops during hotter months, and construction site tours and other educational opportunities for kids. Information and community events targeted harder to reach populations, many of which lived closest to this alignment.
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Results
A record-setting opening, and 16,000 neighbors there to see it
Successful approaches to this included consistent Spanish-speaker representation and presence at neighborhood events and collaboration with local CBOs. While these communities were primary beneficiaries of this major transit expansion, they also experienced the most effects from construction. Alongside the outreach program, the project provided 4,000 trees and plants to the community.
On December 6, 2025, the Federal Way Link Extension opened under budget and ahead of schedule. Despite the cold winter day, over 16,000 community members came out to celebrate the opening. The opening of this alignment made this light rail system the second longest in the country.
