From Bellevue Way Southeast to SR 520, people will have a new way of traveling through East King County. Sound Transit will begin service at eight stations from the 2 Line that connect South Bellevue and the Redmond Technology Center at the end of this month on Saturday, April 27.
“The opening of the 2 Line on the Eastside took the vision, creativity and tireless work of many people to make good on the promise we made to voters in 2008,” said former PSRC President and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “I pushed to open this 6.5- mile, 8-station starter line to connect some of the region’s largest employers, growing neighborhoods, and incredible destinations. Today we’re setting the stage for the Eastside’s continued transformation and connecting people to opportunity now. I can’t wait to ride it!”
Sound Transit and the Bellevue Downtown Association will kick off a celebration at the Bellevue Downtown Station. Participants can hop on the 2 Line and enjoy a range of community activities at the new stations.
Sound Transit began construction on the Eastlink Extension in 2015. Communities along the 2 Line have conducted excellent station area planning, with new transit-oriented housing throughout Bellevue’s Spring District and Redmond’s Overlake Village. Other stations opening include East Main, Bellevue Downtown, Wilburton, and BelRed.
“With the opening of the 2 Line on the Eastside this spring, and our major expansion into Snohomish County this fall, we’re bringing the convenience of light rail to hundreds of thousands more people across the region. That means more people will be able to use Link light rail to skip the traffic and parking hassles and get to school, work, games, concerts and more, inexpensively and on time, every time,” said King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dow Constantine.
The remainder of the 2 Line that connects South Bellevue to the International District is scheduled to open in 2025. The planned full rail line will have 10 new stations stretched across 14 miles, from Seattle’s International District to Redmond Technology Center. PSRC has provided $72.2 million for the full route.
Sound Transit will also be opening the Lynnwood Link Extensions this year. Four stations that extend the Northgate station to Snohomish County, from Shoreline South to Lynnwood’s City Center, are scheduled to open this August. The extension will provide reliable service from Snohomish County to downtown Seattle through the 1 Line. PSRC gave the Lynnwood Link Extension $8.5 million.