King Street Station Platform Area Improvements:
Share Your Thoughts On Proposed Changes In Person or Online
As part of the Sounder South Capacity Expansion program, Sound transit is studying how to make King Street Station better for passengers and ready to serve more Sounder riders in the years ahead. The Project is looking to add more stairs and elevators, a concourse above the platform and more.

These improvements will impact commuters who work, live and visit Pioneer Square. As a business, property owner or resident, your feedback will help Sound Transit refine proposed ideas and identify impacts as they study potential improvements.

About the Sounder South Capacity Expansion Program

To help meet growing demand, in 2016 voters approved the Sounder South Capacity Expansion program. The goal of the program is to expand Sounder capacity and improve rider experience. Improvements could include longer trains and additional weekday trips. 

In 2020, Sound Transit completed the first step in the program, a strategic plan to identify projects, service and completion dates. Program elements include: 
  • Platform extensions to accommodate longer trains 
  • Purchasing rail cars 
  • BNSF negotiations (BNSF owns most of the tracks used by Sounder.) 
  • King Street Station platform improvements

Projects will be completed on a rolling basis and platform extensions are expected to be complete by 2036, with potential new trips added by 2046.
Aerial view of potential improvements at King Street Station including a longer platform, more potential staircases and elevators and a potential concourse or street-level landing, above the platform. The number and location of new elevators and staircases will be determined during the next phase of design. 
King Street Station Platform Area Improvements

As a primary destination for Sounder riders, King Street Station regularly experiences crowding, especially on stairs and in elevators, which can delay riders on their way out of the station and reduce accessibility for mobility-impaired riders. The current platform is also not long enough to serve the 10-car trains Sound Transit is planning to introduce into service in the future. 

How can I get involved?

Sound Transit has started identifying potential options to improve King Street Station access. Here’s what they are studying:
  • Longer platform – Extending the Sounder platform to the south will allow longer trains and more riders.
  • More stairs and elevators – Crowding between the platform and street level can impact access and mobility.
  • Concourse – A new upper level, running directly above the Sounder platform, would allow for more connection points.

The Pioneer Square community can learn more about the proposed improvements at King Street Station here and are encouraged to provide feedback on how this may affect the neighborhood through the online open house.

In addition, you can also ask questions or share input with staff in person at the station on Monday, May 2nd from 2:30–6:30 PM. Sound Transit will continue to study the feedback received and reach back out to the community for further input in 2023.
Sincerely,

ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE