There’s a new five-level parking garage in Pierce County. It has hundreds of stalls

Commuters in East Pierce County will have access to more parking spaces beginning in late March.

Sound Transit recently announced its plan to open Puyallup Station’s long-awaited parking garage and surface lot Monday, March 27.

“As a regular Sounder rider, I have seen the need for this garage for a long time. Puyallup is pleased to be part of a new day for Sounder riders in East Pierce County,” Mayor Dean Johnson said in a news release.

The five-level parking garage has 510 parking spaces. Those, combined with 163 new surface-lot spaces and 371 existing stalls, brings to 1,044 in number of parking spots at the station. A pedestrian bridge over Fifth Street NW connects to the third level of the garage. Nearby intersections and crossings have new traffic signals and safety upgrades.

Eight secure, stainless steel bike lockers can also be found at the station. Passengers must use the BikeLink app or card to access them. The lockers are accessible 24/7 and are available on a first-come, first-served basis

A mural fused into clear, tempered-glass panels by Puyallup Tribe member Shaun Peterson can be viewed at the station, making it the first large public art installation in the city by a tribal member, according to the news release. Peterson’s Native name is Qwalsius.

“We are proud to open this new facility at the Puyallup Station, which will allow greater access to Sound Transit services for the people of East Pierce County,” Sound Transit Vice Chair Kent Keel said in the news release. Keel is also a council member for the city of University Place.

The cost of the project is $82.35 million, The News Tribune reported in January.