On March 28, Sound Transit will launch the “Crosslake Connection,” a significant addition to the Link light rail system, enhancing commuter options between Seattle and the Eastside. This new route marks the first instance of light rail crossing a floating bridge, extending the 2 Line by 7.4 miles.
The connection will link downtown Seattle to downtown Bellevue and the Microsoft headquarters at Redmond Technology station. Trains will travel at speeds of 55 mph, operating every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 to 30 minutes at night. Sound Transit anticipates that by 2026, the 2 Line could accommodate between 43,000 and 52,000 riders daily.
Testing of the light rail trains on the bridge has been ongoing since September, with the East Link segment of the 2 Line, consisting of 6.6 miles and eight stations, opening last April. The completion of this Seattle-Eastside line has taken nearly 18 years and faced numerous planning and construction challenges.
The region has seen significant population growth, particularly due to the tech industry's expansion, which has exacerbated traffic issues in the area. Companies like Microsoft and Amazon have implemented private bus services to ease commuting, adding another layer to the evolving transit landscape.