City of Tukwila  ·  April 2026

Thirty years.
Twice approved.
Not again.

The Boeing Access Road Station has been voted for, promised, and deferred — twice. South King County can't afford a third delay. The Sound Transit Board votes in 2026.

1996 First voter approval
Approved by voters
11,000+ Jobs in station area
3,800 Projected daily riders by 2035

What's happening, and why it matters now

The Boeing Access Road (BAR) Station is a proposed infill light rail stop on Sound Transit's existing Link line, located in Tukwila near the Museum of Flight, Boeing Field, and a dense concentration of South King County employers. It has been part of the regional transit vision for three decades — and was deferred once before.

In 2026, Sound Transit is conducting a major financial realignment, projecting over $34 billion in additional funds to fully fund the ST3 program by 2046. The Sound Transit Board is considering three scenarios. Two of those scenarios do not include building the Boeing Access Road Station. The third keeps all projects on schedule but extends the timeline.

The City of Tukwila — with Mayor Tom McLeod serving on the Sound Transit Board and chairing its Finance and Audit Committee — is working with community partners to ensure the Board chooses a path that delivers this long-promised station.

1996
Boeing Access Road Station first approved by voters as part of Sound Move.
2001 — First deferral
Deferred when Sound Transit needed cost savings to complete light rail to Sea-Tac Airport.
2016
Voters approve the station a second time as part of Sound Transit 3 (ST3).
2021 — Second deferral
Deferred again during the COVID-era financial realignment.
2026 — Decision point
Sound Transit Board evaluates three realignment scenarios. Two exclude the station. A third deferral would be effectively a cancellation.

The Graham Street Station — another South King County infill station deferred at the same time — faces the same situation. Tukwila's advocacy is closely linked to the fate of both stations and the City supports both stations moving forward.


A promise made twice, and a community that can't wait.

Boeing Access Road and Graham Street are the right stations for the right time — long-promised investments in communities that have waited 30 years. Deferring them again is essentially eliminating them from the system.

A matter of credibility

Voters approved the BAR Station twice. The Board has already deferred it once. A second deferral — effectively a cancellation — would constitute bad faith with the public and undermine trust in future ballot measures.

Strong, real ridership

An independent study projects 1,400+ daily boardings at opening, growing to nearly 2,100 by 2035 — exceeding ridership at multiple existing Link stations. Employer shuttles from Boeing, BECU, and Providence would accelerate growth.

Jobs and economic development

More than 11,000 jobs already exist in the station's vicinity — Boeing, BECU, Providence Health, the Museum of Flight, and more. Sound Transit was designed to foster economic development, and Tukwila is actively working to expand family-wage manufacturing jobs in this area.

Equity and environmental justice

BAR and Graham Street are the only two projects in the ST3 portfolio serving majority-minority communities. Repeatedly deferring South King County stations while advancing projects in wealthier parts of the region contradicts Sound Transit's stated equity goals.

Low cost, high value

As an infill station on existing track, BAR is among the least expensive projects in the ST3 portfolio — and offers strong value per dollar compared to brand-new line extensions. Financial pressure is not a valid reason to skip it.

A transit-dependent community

South King County — including South Park, Tukwila, and surrounding neighborhoods — has high concentrations of immigrants and transit-dependent households. These are workers who need this connection and have few alternatives.

The Museum of Flight's own analysis projects a 25% ridership increase if the station opens — representing approximately 150,000 additional visitors per year.


What you can do

Click the link below to let the Sound Transit Board know to keep the BAR Station moving forward and please attend upcoming Sound Transit Board Meetings.

Actions coming soon Content for this section is being finalized and will be added shortly. In the meantime, you can email the Sound Transit Board directly at emailtheboard@soundtransit.org or submit written public comments to meetingcomments@soundtransit.org.

Upcoming opportunities to engage

Mark your calendar for these key dates. Details will be updated as they are confirmed.

Apr
30
Community Event

Open House Meeting

A public open house on the Boeing Access Road Station and Sound Transit realignment. Location and time TBD. Check back for details.

Jun
Board Vote

Sound Transit Board Vote

The Sound Transit Board is expected to vote on the 2026 realignment plan. This is the critical decision point for the Boeing Access Road Station. Exact date TBD.

Additional events and public comment opportunities will be listed here as they are scheduled. Sound Transit Board meetings are open to the public — see the Sound Transit Board calendar for scheduled meetings.


Addressing the tough questions

Content coming soon.


Source material and further reading

The following resources were referenced in developing this advocacy effort. Links to primary sources are provided where available.

Contact the Sound Transit Board

Board members need to hear from the public. Written comments and direct emails both matter.