American builder Absher Construction has been awarded a contract to design and construct a parking garage and access facilities at Kent Station, Washington, US.

Awarded by national public transit agency the Sound Transit Board, the scope of this project comprises a new structured parking complex, expanded surface parking, and other access enhancements for the Sounder S Line, Sound Transit Express, and King County Metro users.

The project will add approximately 400 new parking spaces adjacent to the station, along with enhancements to pedestrian, cycling, and navigational facilities.

The development is set for completion in 2027 and carries a value of approximately $62.5m.

The Sound Transit Board has given its approval to a $9m deal with King County Metro for a new bus layover building, zero-emission bus charging infrastructure, and additional transit operations alongside bus operator support amenities.

With the addition of this bus layover facility, King County Metro will be able to provide more transit services in Kent and South King County in the state, expanding local transit connections to high-capacity transit while promoting improved mobility, access, and ridership between the Sounder, Sound Transit Express, and Metro bus routes.

Construction work on the project is set to commence next year.

Sound Transit's Sounder S Line train service provides a regular, traffic-free commute to and from Seattle for residents of South King County.

In addition, seven King County Metro lines and the Sound Transit Express bus 566 stop serve Kent Station.