Sound Transit’s light rail trains will roll another eight miles south to Federal Way starting Saturday, Dec. 6, fulfilling a promise first made to the community nearly two decades ago.

The exact time isn’t determined yet, but typically the stations open midday after late-morning speeches by dignitaries.

An estimated 18,000 to 23,000 passengers per day are expected to board at Kent Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way Downtown stations. The taxpayer cost for new tracks and stations is about $2.5 billion, including a $629 million low-cost federal loan.

When the extension opens, commuters can ride from Federal Way to downtown Seattle in about 50 minutes, which is often but not always quicker than driving I-5. However, the most loyal customers might be workers at Seattle-Tacoma Internatio

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