Welcome
Explore the latest
Get caught up on the latest information about the Tacoma Dome Link Extension. Learn about updates on the route and station locations Sound Transit is studying in each project segment in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Project update
TDLE is currently in the planning phase. The environmental review we began in 2019 is still ongoing, and we have developed some design refinements based on what we have learned so far. In November 2019, we shared an update on the route and station locations we are studying as well as some design concepts and visualizations (see the archived online open house ). These routes and stations are formally designated as "alternatives." In most of the corridor, the Sound Transit Board identified one alternative as their top choice, known officially as the "preferred alternative" and other alternatives to study in the Draft EIS.
In Fall 2020, we provided updates on the latest project refinements, including preliminary station concepts and ideas to improve access to the stations. We'll share more updates as we continue to make refinements.
Pre-COVID-19 Schedule
Schedule subject to changes resulting from the COVID-19 crisis and realignment
*Impacts from COVID-19 have impacted the environmental review process, both internally and with our planning partners. This has resulted in a potential shift of the opening date for TDLE from late 2030 into 2031. Schedules are based on limited design and engineering at this phase of project development. The opening date is subject to further change as the Sound Transit Board’s realignment process determines which plans and timelines for voter-approved projects will need to change due to lower revenue projections, absent receiving alternative revenue.
2016 Voter Approval
2018-2023 Planning
- Alternatives development
- ST Board identifies preferred alternative
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement (We are here)
- Final Environmental Impact Statement
- Preliminary design
- ST Board selects project to be built
- Federal Record of Decision
2023-2025 Design
- Final route design
- Final station designs
- Procure and commission station and public art
- Obtain land use and construction permits
- Property acquisition/relocation
2025-2030 Construction
- Conversations with property owners
- Groundbreaking
- Construction updates and mitigation
- Safely Education
- Testing and Preoperations
2030 - 2031 Start of service*
Outreach Specialists are working to provide property owners and tenants in the TDLE corridor frequent updates, especially if the project could directly affect their property, home or business.
In the past, Outreach Specialists delivered flyers door to door and frequently met with property owners and tenants one-on-one. In light of COVID-19, Sound Transit is closely following state and city public health directives on social distancing. For the foreseeable future, our Outreach Specialists will continue corresponding with potentially affected property owners and tenants virtually or by phone.
Want to speak with a member of the project team? Contact us via the information in the need more info box.
Environmental Review 101
We are currently analyzing the TDLE project through a detailed review called a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. To begin an EIS process, the Sound Transit Board identifies the routes and station locations we should study and formally names them “alternatives.” In most of the corridor, the Board identified one alternative as their top choice, known officially as the "preferred alternative," and other alternatives to study.
An EIS analyzes and documents all these alternatives and their potential impacts to the natural and built environment, and it identifies ways to mitigate unavoidable impacts. Through this process, we consider things like effects on historic and cultural resources, residential properties, businesses, communities, the local economy and other resources.
Need more information now?
Visit our project website for additional background information and resources. Sign up for email updates for all the latest news as the TDLE develops.
Have questions or want to schedule a briefing with a member of the project team?
Contact us via
Email: tdlink@soundtransit.org
Phone: 206-398-5453
South Federal Way
South Federal Way
Explore what we’re studying in the South Federal Way segment
Status of South Federal Way route and station alternatives
We are studying the following alternatives in the South Federal Way Segment:

Routes
- (Preferred) SF Enchanted Parkway
- SF I-5
- SF Design Option
Stations
- SF Enchanted Parkway Station
- SF 352nd Span Station Option
- SF I-5 Station
Fife
Fife
Explore what we’re studying in the Fife segment
Status of Fife route and station alternatives
We’re studying the following alternatives in the Fife Segment:

Routes
- (Preferred) Fife alternative
- Fife Pacific Highway
- Fife I-5
- Fife Median
Station
- Fife Station
Since scoping in spring 2019, we made adjustments to the Fife I-5 and Fife Pacific Highway route alternatives. These shifts mainly occur between 54th Avenue East, heading west toward Willow Road East. The curve of the Fife Pacific Highway route alternative was adjusted to the east to keep the alignment out of the intersection at Pacific Highway East and Willow Road East as much as possible. This adjustment results in fewer property impacts and also removes the need to rebuild the intersection to maintain the left turn movements. This adjustment will also allow for an increased train speed on the elevated rail from 40 mph to 45 mph in the area.
The Fife I-5 route includes an adjustment to the section of the route crossing over Pacific Highway East between the Fife Station and the segment where the alignment runs parallel along I-5. This adjustment creates more distance between the tracks and nearby properties and decreases the number of property impacts in the area.
We are also studying a route alternative on Pacific Highway East called the Fife Pacific Highway Median Alternative, or Fife Median for short. The alignment for this alternative is elevated along Pacific Highway East in the existing center turn lane.
Portland Avenue
Explore what we’re studying in the Portland Avenue station area of the Tacoma segment
Status of Portland Avenue route and station alternatives
The Tacoma Segment of the project will have two stations: at Portland Avenue and the Tacoma Dome. We’re studying the following alternatives in the Portland Avenue area:

Routes
- (Preferred) Tacoma 25th Street-West
- Portland Avenue Design Option
Stations
- Portland Avenue Station
- Portland Avenue Span Station Option
We are studying two Puyallup River bridge types: one design that would clear-span the river and another with bridge support piers in the river.
- The clear-span design includes a 560-foot span that is elevated about 60 feet above the level of the northernmost I-5 bridge.
- The in-river pier design requires two piers in the river, the bridge would be elevated 10 feet above the level of the current I-5 bridge (which is scheduled for removal as part of the I-5 HOV lane project).
Tacoma Dome
Tacoma Dome
Explore what we’re studying in the Tacoma Dome station area in the Tacoma segment
Status of Tacoma Dome route and station alternatives
The Tacoma Segment of the project will have two stations: at Portland Avenue and the Tacoma Dome. We’re studying the following alternatives in the Tacoma Dome area:

Routes
- (Preferred) Tacoma 25th Street-West
- Tacoma Close to Sounder
- Tacoma 25th Street-East
- Tacoma 26th Street
Stations
- Tacoma 25th Street-West Station
- Tacoma Close to Sounder Station
- Tacoma 25th Street-East Station
- Tacoma 26th Street Station
Next steps
Next steps
Learn more about the upcoming Draft EIS
An Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS for short, provides agencies, tribes and the public an understanding of a project's potential impacts to the natural and built environment, and it identifies ways to mitigate unavoidable impacts. Through this process, we analyze each alternative and design option, considering things like effects on historic and cultural resources, residential properties, businesses, communities, the local economy and other resources.
The project is now in environmental review. In the near future, we expect to publish the Draft EIS, at which time we'll also invite the public, agencies and tribes to provide formal comments.
We'll then conduct a Final EIS, which will include updates as needed, further evaluation of preferred alternatives identified by the Board following comments on the Draft EIS, and of the other alternatives considered in the Draft EIS. The Final EIS will also include responses to all public, agency, and tribal comments submitted on the Draft EIS.
After publication of the Final EIS, the Sound Transit Board will select the project to be built, informed by the EIS analyses and public, tribal and agency comments.
- Acquisitions, displacements and relocations
- Air quality
- Economics including Impacts to businesses
- Ecosystems
- Electromagnetic fields
- Energy
- Environmental justice
- Geology and soils
- Hazardous materials
- Historic and archaeological resources
- Land use
- Noise and vibration
- Parks and recreational resources
- Public services, safety and security
- Social impacts, community facilities and neighborhoods
- Transportation (traffic, freight, navigation, transit, non-motorized)
- Utilities
- Visual and aesthetics
- Water resources

To learn more about the different types of fieldwork activities we may conduct in your neighborhood, check out our fact sheet .