Opening of Twin Lakes park-and-ride in Federal Way

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News Release

Release date: June 19, 2001

State, county and city celebrate opening
of Twin Lakes park-and-ride in Federal Way

Commuters in the Federal Way area have new options when it comes to traveling to and from downtown Seattle, now that the state and King County have opened the Twin Lakes park-and-ride lot.

The lot at the intersection of 21st Avenue Southwest and Southwest 344th Street was designed and built by the state Department of Transportation (WSDOT). King County will operate transit service to the lot and maintain the facilities. (Metro Online service information)

photo: commuters talking with Councilmember von Reichbauer

Commuters tell County Council Chair Pete von Reichbauer that the new Twin Lakes lot is more convenient to their homes and much less crowded than other area park-and-ride lots. He speaks with residents Ken Shattock and Betsy Presley and with State Rep. Maryann Mitchell.

photo: elected officials learning about new park-and-ride lot

WSDOT Engineering Manager Susan Everett, left, points out environmental features at the new Twin Lakes park-and-ride lot. Listening, from right, are King County Executive Ron Sims; State Rep. Maryann Mitchell; Federal Mayor Michael Park; and County Council Chair Pete von Reichbauer.

King County Executive Ron Sims, King County Council Chair Pete von Reichbauer, and acting Northwest Region Administrator David Dye and South King Area Administrator Craig Stone of WSDOT joined commuters today to celebrate the opening of the new park-and-ride lot.

Executive Sims said the Twin Lakes lot is a key component in the county's park-and-ride expansion program that is now targeting southwest King County.

"The county is designing another new park-and-ride on Pacific Highway South that will be under construction next year," said Sims.

"That lot -- combined with the Twin Lakes lot and the expansion of the Federal Way park-and-ride by Sound Transit -- will give us enough park-and-ride capacity to meet demand in this area now and well into the future."

The Twin Lakes lot is the state's newest park-and-ride lot. It is also noteworthy because it is four miles from Interstate 5.

"Putting the lot near where commuters live makes it more convenient for people to get out of their cars and onto buses," said Dye. "This will help ease pollution in south King County plus relieve congestion on Federal Way streets and along the I-5 corridor."

Councilmember von Reichbauer, who represents the Federal Way area, thinks the new lot will encourage more people to use public transit.

"The Twin Lakes lot provides much-needed relief for bus riders in Federal Way, where the park-and-ride lots near I-5 are at or above capacity," said von Reichbauer.

The Twin Lakes lot has about 600 parking stalls and is now served by three Metro Transit routes. One of those -- Route 179 -- provides brand new peak-commute service between Federal Way and downtown Seattle.

Metro managers are also exploring ways to shift more service to Twin Lakes and are talking with Pierce Transit about using the new lot as a connecting location for the two transit agencies.

The Twin Lakes lot design features state-of-the-art detention and treatment ponds to manage stormwater runoff at the site. This design continues WSDOT's commitment to stormwater management and control that enhances the urban environment and supports salmon populations throughout the region.

The total cost of the Twin Lakes park-and-ride lot is $8.4 million, which includes funds for design, construction and property acquisition.

Metro Online: Information about bus service to the Twin Lakes park-and-ride lot and other lots in south King County

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