Sound Transit has partnered up with Highline to construct a roundabout on campus to be linked to the Kent-Des Moines Link light rail extension that also connects to the Federal Way Link extension. 

The contract to build this part of the Sound Transit project was settled in 2019. 

“The construction of the roundabout is included in Sound Transit’s F200 Design-Build contract for Federal Way Link extension. The contract was awarded in 2019,” said David Jackson, a public information officer for Sound Transit. 

Sound Transit’s goal is to make sure the finished product is done to its best ability with customer satisfaction. 

“Sound Transit would like for the college and city of Des Moines to be satisfied with the end product, both quality of workmanship and with the connectivity with the new Kent-Des Moines light rail station,” said Jackson. 

At this very moment the roundabout is in the second phase of the project in the north end entrance towards College Way.

“We are in Phase 2 of the project for the north end. The actual work is digging the hole for the storm water runoff collection tanks and piping,” said Barry Halldorf, director of the facilities department. 

Highline sold just under half an acre from the south end of campus to the city of Des Moines. The project was then signed off to Sound Transit to work on it with a funding line of 1.4 millions dollars.

Because the surrounding area of the station was so near to Highline, Jackson said the location of the stations were a big factor in the development of the project. 

“The proximity of the station to the college was important to station location selection,” he said. “The project timing, location, and work type of the improvements made the incorporation of this project into the Sound Transit light rail project contract practical.”

Jackson also added that Highline and the city were heavily involved in the process from the start and have made huge alterations in making sure people could get to where they needed to using the station. 

“The college and city were involved in early planning discussions with Sound Transit,” he said. “The improved street with wide sidewalks, signalized intersection at Pacific Highway, and roundabout on campus was designed to create a strong connection between the station and campus.”

Jackson goes on to explain that Sound Transit did not invest any money into this project, the city of Des Moines is paying them to work on the roundabout on campus.

“Sound Transit did not invest in this work. We were compensated for it,” Jackson said. 

As the construction for Highline and Sound Transit continues, while it may create some temporary inconveniences, it is important to remember that this will help many students who live far away or who have difficulty with transportation access Highline’s campus.