Last week the Sound Transit board, comprised of elected officials from Pierce, King and Snohomish counties, including our own King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer, voted unanimously to recommend an Interstate 5 alignment for the proposed Link Light Rail extension to Federal Way.

This recommendation mirrors similar votes by the Federal Way City Council, Federal Way Public Schools, as well as the cities of Des Moines, SeaTac and Kent.

This was an unprecedented display of collaboration and unity amongst neighboring jurisdictions and weighed heavily in the outcome of the Sound Transit vote.

So, what does this vote mean? And, importantly, what does this vote not mean?

For starters, it does not mean light rail has been approved to come all the way to Federal Way. However, this is a positive step in the right direction. In order for final approval, the Sound Transit 3 package must pass a public vote in the fall of 2016.

Additionally, next fall Sound Transit will vote on a final version of the Environmental Impact Statement and confirm their route choice for the Federal Way Link extension.

Perhaps the most significant outcome of Sound Transit’s preferred route to Federal Way is that it narrows the many options presented to the board for potential routes to South King County. Routes included many options from disrupting State Route 99 to a hybrid option that combined zigzagging between the freeway and parts of Pacific Highway.

The I-5 alignment requested by Federal Way is nearly one-third of a billion dollars less than the alternative route.  This sum simply cannot be overlooked, most especially in terms of the service opportunities where this money can be spent to expand service to more locales and more riders.

There were several helpful and positive amendments to the preferred alignment vote. Several of these amendments enhanced transit-oriented development potential near final station locations in Federal Way. Other amendments allowed for further study of station locations in Kent and increased rapid ride services to get riders to and from transit-oriented development and parking areas where transit-oriented development potential is sparse.

In my testimony to the Sound Transit board, I spoke of the negative impact a Pacific Highway alignment would have on the nearly $60 million in road improvements Federal Way has invested in our streets.

I also discussed the distracting affect a train zooming by at high speeds would have on students at the new $100 million Federal Way High School. Finally, I raised the concern many of us have over what would amount to a forced relocation of thousands of our residents and businesses.

Bringing light rail to Federal Way will allow for upward mobility for our citizens and will finally provide a realistic transportation alternative for South King County residents to commute to and from the main job center of our region.

While Federal Way is redeveloping, and it is our goal to create an atmosphere for businesses to thrive and create good jobs for our community, the fact remains that Seattle will dominate the regional job market for the foreseeable future.

Highline College will be served by the light rail extension with either a station location on their campus just west of SR-99 (an option over $50 million more expensive), or by a station just 200 feet away east of SR-99. To put that into perspective, the average patron walks 200 feet from their car to the supermarket when buying groceries. It is believed that the east SR-99 station would allow for a true transit-oriented development opportunity, which will serve the communities of Kent and Des Moines.

In an effort to maximize the growth potential at each light rail station, staff from Sound Transit and the city of Federal Way is forming working groups to study the development opportunities at the Star Lake Park and Ride at 272nd and the Redondo Park and Ride.

They are also looking into the feasibility of shuttle service connecting development on SR-99 to a station at the Star Lake facility. Moreover, staff is also studying how the station along 23rd Avenue in our downtown should best be placed and improved.

While the final decision is not due until next year, there is momentum for a Federal Way extension and I-5 alignment. I would like to recognize the work of our own Sound Transit board member Pete von Reichbauer. Without Pete’s strong advocacy on behalf of South King County, we might not have been able to come to an agreement on alignment.

We have much to look forward to in Federal Way, from the Performing Arts and Event Center, to our new Town Square Park and the exciting project on the former Target location, as well as other investments occurring in our city.  Adding light rail will ensure our city remains competitive and an inviting place for businesses and families to invest for years to come.

Jim Ferrell is the mayor of Federal Way. Contact him at Jim.Ferrell@cityoffederalway.com