08/26/2026
An Update on Transit in North Tukwila
This spring, the Sound Transit Board adopted Resolution No. R2026-11 to address the ongoing affordability challenges facing the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 projects. As a Sound Transit Board member, I was deeply involved in the development of the resolution, including advocating for projects and investments that are important to Tukwila and South King County.
I want to invite the community to join me on September 30 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the Museum of Flight (9404 East Marginal Way S) for an open house on regional transit in north Tukwila. Sound Transit, the City of Tukwila and other community partners will provide an update on the Boeing Access Road (BAR) Light Rail Station and discuss efforts to explore additional transit options for north Tukwila.
The BAR Station is particularly important to me and our community. While much of the focus is understandably on delivering the outstanding Sound Transit 3 projects, BAR is actually the last remaining Sound Move project that has yet to be delivered. The City has consistently reminded Sound Transit that it is important to fulfill this 30-year-old commitment to South King County.
As part of the adopted resolution, Sound Transit has committed to moving forward with the full design of the BAR Station. Tukwila staff and Sound Transit are continuing to work together on project design, environmental review and right-of-way coordination. This is technical and detailed work, but it is essential to moving the project through design and toward construction.
There is still a significant financial challenge. The resolution does not currently provide a path to construction for BAR. Sound Transit’s subareas are responsible for generating the revenue needed to support their capital projects, and the South King Subarea is currently supporting a significant number of past and ongoing construction projects. That limits the funding available for future projects like BAR. Tukwila city staff are working with both our Federal and State government affairs teams to identify possible third-party funding to help deliver the BAR Light Rail Station.
I worked to address that challenge in the resolution. One of the amendments I added, which was fully supported by the Board, directs Sound Transit to identify cost savings and alternative financing and delivery options for the BAR Station. That work must be developed and presented to the full Board by February 2027. I will continue pushing Sound Transit to follow through on this commitment.
I also secured $10 million in the resolution for Sound Transit to work with the City of Tukwila, King County Metro and other partners to explore alternative transit options in north Tukwila. These options are intended to provide additional transit connections while we continue working toward the BAR Station.
There is still work ahead, but we are making progress.
As Mayor and as a Sound Transit Board member, I am committed to delivering more transit options for Tukwila and South King County. I hope you will join us on September 30 to learn more and share your thoughts about the future of transit in our community.
