A graphic shows the location of a new Sounder parking garage in Kent. COURTESY GRAPHIC, Sound Transit

A graphic shows the location of a new Sounder parking garage in Kent. COURTESY GRAPHIC, Sound Transit

Sound Transit approves contract for Kent Sounder parking garage

The $62.5 million project will add 415 parking spaces for train commuters at Kent Station

Sound Transit has awarded a design-build contract for a second Kent Station parking garage with 415 spaces for Sounder train commuters. The garage is scheduled to open in 2027.

The Sound Transit Board approved a contract with Puyallup-based Absher Construction, according to an Oct. 26 Sound Transit news release. The $62.5 million project will include a new structured parking facility, additional surface parking as well as pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

The board also approved a $9 million agreement with King County Metro for a new bus layover facility, zero emissions bus charging infrastructure and other support facilities for transit operations and bus operators.

Delivery of this bus layover facility will make it possible for Metro to provide additional transit service in the city of Kent and South King County, increasing local transit connections to high-capacity transit and supporting increased mobility, access, and ridership between Sounder, Sound Transit Express and Metro bus service, according to the news release.

Businesses and residents in the vicinity of Kent Station can expect more information about project progress and impacts before construction begins in 2024. The garage is planned to be built along Railroad Avenue North, just south of West James Street, including property where a closed cold storage warehouse now sits that will be demolished.

Voters approved funding in 2008 with an expected opening of the garage in 2015. But the Great Recession in 2010, the pandemic in 2020 and other funding issues have continually delayed the project. Sound Transit opened a garage in 2001 at 301 Railroad Ave. N., just north of West Smith Street, but that garage, at least prior to the pandemic, typically fills up.

Sound Transit’s Sounder S Line train service gives South King County residents a dependable, traffic-free commute to and from Seattle, according to the agency. The trip, with Wi-Fi, between Kent Station and Seattle’s King Street Station takes about 30 minutes. Weekend service is also offered for select major sporting events.

Kent Station is also served by Sound Transit Express bus 566 and seven King County Metro routes. A new RapidRide line is slated to open in 2026.

Sound Transit recently concluded a rider survey about the future of Sounder S Line service. The agency asked for feedback about whether Sounder should have more trips midday, in the evenings or on weekends or to have longer trains that add more capacity during peak periods.

The agency will consider survey results along with research on travel patterns and ridership forecasting, to decide whether to prioritize negotiating new trips with BNSF Railway, which owns most of the tracks Sounder runs on.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
SeaTac man, 21, fatally shot in vehicle in Kent on West Hill

Someone ran up and fired multiple shots into vehicle Nov. 21 at Veterans Drive and Military Road

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE, in Covington, remained without power Thursday morning, Nov. 21, according to Puget Sound Energy. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent schools remain closed due to windstorm damage, power outages

Second consecutive day of closures Thursday, Nov. 21 across the Kent School District

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire calls windstorm ‘one for the ages’

Agency responds to 308 calls in 12-hour period, including 245 for storm-related issues

Crews clear trees from State Route 18, which the Washington State Patrol closed in both directions Wednesday, Nov. 20, from Issaquah Hobart to I-90 over Tiger Mountain because of fallen trees during a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Washington State Patrol
Windstorm closes Kent schools, roads due to fallen trees

Many without power in areas of Kent and beyond

t
“Prolific” vehicular theft suspect arrested in Renton

Kent man holds 13 prior convictions and 41 arrests.

tt
Green Kent volunteer program wraps up season at city park

Volunteers remove invasive species, plant native trees and shrubs at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park

t
Copper-wire thieves damage Kent Senior Center roof refrigeration unit

Facility temporarily loses commercial kitchen refrigerator but staff, community keep meals going

t
16-year-old girl dies in Covington single-car crash

Teen was driving when car crashed into a tree Nov. 15 along SE 256th Street just east of Kent

t
Kent Police Blotter: Oct. 24-Nov. 7

Incidents include carjacking, juvenile fight, stolen vehicle pursuit

t
State Patrol catches a pair of motorcycles going over 100 mph on I-5

See a video of their arrest. Agency uses air surveillance to pursue from Federal Way to Renton

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
Official ribbon cutting for the Kent Valley Bezos Academy, which is still accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year.
Kent Valley Bezos Academy offers student-driven preschool experience

New school offers free enrollment to children of income-eligible families

COURTESY PHOTO, King County
Driver reportedly going 111 mph in Kent fatal collision

SeaTac man, 33, faces vehicular homicide, reckless driving charges in Nov. 4 death of 38-year-old woman