Tacoma's light rail will expand to Stadium, Hilltop neighborhoods, Sound Transit says

TACOMA -- The Sound Transit Board on Thursday selected the route and stations for the Tacoma Link Expansion, which will include a 2.4-mile extension from the Theater District to the Stadium and Hilltop neighborhoods.

"By extending light rail to the Stadium Way and Hilltop districts, more people will have better access to jobs, schools, and everyday needs,” said Sound Transit Board Chairman and King County Executive Dow Constantine. “We’ll also work with residents to make sure that transit supports and enhances the unique character of their communities.”

According to a Sound Transit news release, the Tacoma Link Expansion will run primarily in-street along Stadium Way, North 1st Street, Division Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr., Way. It will include one relocated station in the Theater District and six new stations: Stadium Way and South 4th Street; the Stadium District; Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue; Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 6th Avenue; Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South 11th Street; and Martin Luther King Jr. Way and South 19th Street.

Assuming all project funding is secured, construction will begin in 2018. The preliminary cost estimate for the extension is $175 million.