2 Line (Sound Transit)
2 Line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other name(s) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Under construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Owner | Sound Transit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Seattle, Washington, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Termini |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stations |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Website | soundtransit.org/eastlink | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Light rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
System | Link light rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Planned opening |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Line length | New segments: 18 mi (29 km) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Electrification | Overhead line, 1,500 V DC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The East Link Extension, also known as the 2 Line, is a future
The East Link project was approved by voters in the 2008
The proposed alignment of the East Link project was debated by the Bellevue city council in the early 2010s, with members split on two different routes south of Downtown Bellevue; city funding for the downtown segment's tunnel was also debated and ultimately included in the final agreement. The alignment was finalized in 2013, after more than two years of debate, and delayed the beginning of construction to 2016 and the completion of the project from 2021 to 2023. The line will be the world's first railway constructed on a floating bridge and is expected to carry 50,000 daily riders by 2030.
History
Background and early proposals
The Eastside suburbs underwent rapid development into bedroom communities after the 1940 opening of the
In the 1960s, the construction of a
In 1990, the state legislature called for the creation of a regional transit authority to fund the construction of a light rail system serving the Seattle metropolitan area.[21] A work group, known as the Joint Regional Policy Committee, drafted a transit plan in March 1993 that conceived of a 105-mile (169 km) rapid rail system with a line between Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond served by through-trains from Snohomish County.[22][23] The plan recommended a hybrid rail and bus system, with rail serving as the primary form of high-capacity transit on the Interstate 90 corridor.[24]: 1–9 Later that year, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, later renamed Sound Transit, was established and began planning a package of transit projects for a public referendum.[25] The committee's plan was downsized to 69 miles (111 km) of light rail, including a line from Seattle to Bellevue and Overlake, and submitted to voters on March 14, 1995.[26][27] The $6.7 billion transit package was rejected by voters, in part due to an opposition campaign funded by Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman.[28][29] A smaller, $3.9 billion system was proposed the following year, with a light rail line serving Seattle and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport instead of a system spanning the entire metropolitan area; express buses from Seattle to the Eastside would be funded by the package in place of light rail service.[30] The removal of the Eastside light rail line was opposed by politicians and business groups in the area, with prominent developers funding an opposition campaign.[30][31] The package was approved by the Puget Sound region's voters on November 5, 1996, earning a majority of votes in Eastside cities.[32][33] Express buses between Seattle and the Eastside, funded by Sound Transit, began operating in 1999.[34]
Planning and ballot measures
In the late 1990s, Sound Transit and the
Sound Transit added the Eastside high-capacity transit project to its preliminary long-range plan in 2004, exploring several conceptual corridors and modes that branched out from a main line on Interstate 90.
Sound Transit continued to hold public hearings and open houses on the design of East Link after the rejection of the Roads and Transit package as part of the environmental review process.[48] A smaller, transit-only package named "Sound Transit 2" with 34 miles (55 km) of light rail was passed by voters in November 2008, including funds for East Link.[49] The $18 billion plan projected that light rail trains would reach Bellevue in 2020 and Overlake Transit Center in 2021, and also included preliminary engineering for an eventual extension to downtown Redmond.[50][51]
Floating bridge engineering and litigation
In 2005, WSDOT conducted a live load test on the Interstate 90 floating bridge using 65-foot (20 m) flatbed trucks carrying concrete weights to simulate the weight of light rail trains and test its performance. Using the results, which matched those from an earlier computer simulation, WSDOT concluded that the bridge could carry the weight of light rail trains after minor changes to sections of the transition spans were made during construction.[52] Sound Transit later determined in an engineering study that rail joints could be designed to accommodate the multi-directional movement of the floating bridge, with special design considerations and speed restrictions.[53][54] In 2008, the state legislature's Joint Transportation Committee commissioned an independent review of potential issues that would arise with light rail operations on the floating bridge. The panel identified 23 issues, including stray currents from the electrical system that could cause corrosion, the weight of the tracks and catenary on top of the deck, the design of the expansion joints, and a needed seismic upgrade for the bridge.[55] The panel recommended several mitigation measures for the identified issues, which were accepted for consideration by Sound Transit, and gave the preliminary go-ahead on the project.[56][57]
Sound Transit authorized a $53 million budget for preliminary engineering work on the floating bridge segment in 2011, contracting out to a team led by
The use of the floating bridge for light rail service remained controversial after the passage of Sound Transit 2 in 2008. Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman filed a lawsuit against the state government in 2009, arguing that the 18th amendment of the
Route refinement in Bellevue
The Sound Transit 2 package did not include a specific route for East Link in Bellevue and Redmond, due to the time needed to evaluate alignment options.[70] The Sound Transit Board divided the line into five segments and identified 19 total potential alignments, including tunnel routes in Downtown Bellevue favored by the city's government, that were studied in the project's draft environmental impact statement in 2008.[71][72] In southern Bellevue (named Segment B), the alternatives considered included an at-grade line along Bellevue Way, an at-grade or elevated alignment on 112th Avenue Southeast, and a route following Interstate 405 on the east side of Mercer Slough Nature Park. In Downtown Bellevue (Segment C), three alternatives called for tunnels, while two were elevated guideways along 110th or 112th avenues, and a sixth alignment consisted of an at-grade line split between 108th and 110th avenues. In the Bel-Red area (Segment D), the alignments traveled above or along new east–west streets proposed by the city, transitioning into an at-grade and retained cut alignment along State Route 520 to Overlake Transit Center. The Overlake to Redmond segment (Segment E), studied by the project but not funded for construction, diverged at West Lake Sammamish Parkway, generally serving stations at the Redmond Town Center mall and on the east side of Marymoor Park.[72]
The Bellevue City Council endorsed the 112th Avenue alignment, along with a tunnel in Downtown Bellevue under 106th Avenue, in February 2009.[73] Microsoft voiced its opposition to the tunnel alignment, which the company believed would jeopardize funding for the segment of the line serving its corporate headquarters in Overlake; the tunnel was estimated to add $600 million in costs to the project's budget.[74] On May 14, 2009, Sound Transit Board chose the two-street surface alignment on 108th and 110th avenues as its preferred alternative, but indicated that it would prefer a tunnel under 108th Avenue if $500 million in additional funding could be found.[75][76] In September, the Bellevue City Council requested further review of the options in Downtown Bellevue, and together with Sound Transit proposed a short tunnel under 110th Avenue with one station that would be cheaper to construct and avoid disruptions to the existing Bellevue Transit Center and the 12th Street corridor.[77][78] The composition of the Bellevue City Council was changed later in the year, with candidates backed by light rail opponent Kemper Freeman winning a majority in the November election.[79][80][81] New councilmember Kevin Wallace proposed the "Vision Line", an elevated alignment that followed Interstate 405 and the Eastside Rail Corridor, with its downtown station connected by skybridges and moving walkways.[82][83]
Bellevue continued to consider four new downtown alignments, as well as options in the South Bellevue area.[84] The city council considered routing trains through the Mercer Slough and on the Eastside Rail Corridor until the National Park Service spoke out against the plan.[85] In March 2010, the city council unanimously endorsed the 110th Avenue tunnel alternative, which would cost an additional $285 million, and drafted a cost savings plan that would levy a local tax to pay for the tunnel.[86] A new alignment in the South Bellevue area using the east sides of Bellevue Way and 112th Avenue, along with the city covering the cost of street reconstruction and utility relocation, was also proposed in order to save $75 million in costs.[87] The Sound Transit Board made the revised tunnel and South Bellevue alignment its new preferred route in April and requested further study into the impacts of rail construction in the Surrey Downs area.[88] Sound Transit also approved the exploration of alternative designs for the Overlake Hospital station, the alignment through the Bel-Red area, and the Overlake Village station in Redmond.[89] An additional downtown option, using a shorter tunnel beginning at Northeast 2nd Street and an at-grade crossing of Main Street, was also proposed by Sound Transit to help reduce costs amid an expected shortfall in revenue.[90][91]
In July, the Bellevue City Council voted 4–3 to reject Sound Transit's six proposed South Bellevue options, in favor of its preferred alternative ("B7") using the Eastside Rail Corridor.
The divided opinions of the Bellevue city council, led by B7 supporter Kevin Wallace and B2M supporter
The preliminary Bellevue city council report was released in May 2011, finding that the B7 alternative would be feasible, but cost up to $140 million more than Sound Transit's B2M alternative. The study received a mixed reaction from the council and members of the public, and the final version was cut after the cost of the study increased to $730,000.[108][109] After the release of the study, high-level talks with Sound Transit were initiated by a delegation of Bellevue officials, including city manager Steve Sarkozy and councilmembers Degginger and Wallace.[110] The negotiations moved into public sessions in mid-July, focusing on design modifications to Sound Transit's B2M alternative on 112th Avenue that would lessen impacts on nearby homeowners.[111] A final environmental impact statement was published on July 15,[112] which excluded a modified version of the B7 alternative,[113] and the Sound Transit Board selected a modified version of its 112th Avenue route and the 110th Avenue tunnel as its preferred route on July 28. The new version included an HOV lane on Bellevue Way, grade separation on 112th Avenue, the replacement of a station at Southeast 8th Street with one at Main Street, and a noise wall and landscape buffer next to the tracks.[114] The Bellevue city council approved a preliminary agreement in August in support of the 112th Avenue alignment, and continued its negotiations with Sound Transit ahead of a memorandum of agreement due later in the year.[115][116] Further modifications in September eliminated a retained-cut trench favored by the city council and moved the planned crossover from the east side of 112th Avenue to the west side from Southeast 6th Street to Southeast 15th Street.[117] The deadline for the memorandum was originally set for October, but it was extended into November while awaiting additional public comments solicited by the city council. The city council also asked for a grade-separated overpass for light rail trains crossing 112th Avenue at Southeast 15th Street.[118][119] An umbrella memorandum of understanding between Sound Transit and the City of Bellevue was approved unanimously by the city council on November 15, placing East Link on 112th Avenue and funding the downtown tunnel with a $100 million contribution from the city.[120] After the signing of an agreement with WSDOT to use the Interstate 90 floating bridge, Sound Transit received a Record of Decision for the East Link project issued by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), formally ending the environmental review process.[121]
Sound Transit initiated design work on East Link in early 2012, commissioning a cost-savings analysis for the Bellevue segments to find elements where project costs could be reduced.[122] The analysis was released for public comment in April, proposing $60 million in savings by moving the downtown station out of the 110th Avenue tunnel, removing trenches from the 112th Avenue section, and moving the historic Frederick W. Winters House out of the planned guideway.[123][124] Bellevue proposed an additional design change for the 112th Avenue corridor, moving the planned elevated flyover for trains into a trench under the raised road, after Surrey Downs residents complained of the potential visual and noise impacts.[125] A shortlist of design modifications was approved for further study by the Sound Transit Board in late June, with an endorsement from the city council.[126] After the publication of the final cost-savings analysis in September, the Sound Transit Board and Bellevue city council voted to endorse the proposed design modifications to the downtown station, 112th Avenue crossing, and Winters House trench.[127][128] The design modifications to Bellevue Way and 112th Avenue were opposed by residents of the Enatai and Surrey Downs neighborhoods, who claimed that the changes would restrict road access and lower property values and quality of life.[129] After threatening to block property acquisition and delay the project further, a group representing Enatai residents agreed to changes in the city code that were approved by the city council in February 2013, giving homeowners a larger setback from the tracks and more time to negotiate property sales to Sound Transit.[130] The city council also approved a streamlined permitting process that would expedite planning within Bellevue.[131] The Enatai group had previously sued Sound Transit over impacts to the Mercer Slough and the Winters House,[132] but the lawsuit was rejected by the U.S. District Court in March 2013.[131]
A supplemental environmental impact statement was released in late March, incorporating the Bellevue design modifications and requesting further design of pedestrian bridges over State Route 520 near Overlake Village station in Redmond.[133] The Bellevue city council unanimously approved a final alignment for East Link on April 22, 2013, including up to $53 million in cost savings identified in the 2012 analysis.[134][135] Days later, Sound Transit approved the same final alignment and design modifications.[135][136] Public open houses on final design and property acquisitions began in May,[137] and an amended transitway agreement was signed by the City of Bellevue in June.[138] In July 2014, Sound Transit selected a former rail yard located west of the Spring District and its station as the site of the project's 25-acre (10 ha) satellite operations and maintenance facility.[139][140] The proposed site initially came as a surprise to the City of Bellevue, who had hoped to use it for transit-oriented development, and also attracted an offer from the Mars Hill Church to share the site, which was later rejected.[141][142] After negotiations with the city, the design of the facility was amended to add 1.6 million square feet (150,000 m2) of commercial and residential development on part of the shrunken yard, and Sound Transit was asked to improve nearby pedestrian and bicycle connections.[143]
In 2015, Sound Transit adopted a $3.7 billion budget for the East Link project, funded primarily by tax revenue and bond proceeds from the Sound Transit 2 package.[144] The FTA agreed to contribute a $1.33 billion loan for the project, as well as $88.7 million in grants.[145] The City of Bellevue also contributed $100 million towards the construction of the downtown tunnel after signing an updated memorandum of understanding in 2015.[146][147]
Construction and delays
Sound Transit
Demolition work in the South Bellevue, Bel-Red, and Overlake segments of the line also began in early 2017, including the closure of the
Construction of the line's operations and maintenance facility in the Spring District began in April 2018 and is scheduled to be completed in 2020. It will include space for 96 light rail vehicles and integrate housing and office space.[165] The Rainier Freeway Station was closed in September 2018 and work on the Judkins Park station began shortly thereafter with the demolition of a freeway overpass.[166] By mid-November, installation of rails and ties began on Mercer Island had begun and work on the elevated guideway near South Bellevue had transitioned towards girder installation using a traveling form system.[167][168] Construction was originally scheduled to conclude across all segments in 2020,[169] but was delayed by a work stop during the COVID-19 pandemic.[170]
Train testing on the section between Downtown Bellevue and Redmond Technology station began in November 2021.[171] Live wire tests at full speed with trainsets began between Bellevue Downtown and Spring District stations in February 2022.[172] Light rail service was anticipated to begin in June 2023, but was delayed after a series of concrete structures, mainly over 5,455 plinths under the tracks on the 4-mile (6.4 km) Interstate 90 segment, were found in early 2022 to be in need of replacement or reinforcement.[173][174] Demolition of the faulty plinths began in September 2022 after repairs were deemed infeasible and was followed by rebuilding over several work zones. Service on the floating bridge section is anticipated to begin in 2025.[175]
Starter Line launch
Balducci, several Eastside mayors, and other leaders endorsed a plan in 2022 to open a truncated Bellevue–Redmond version of the 2 Line in 2023 to serve local trips while awaiting the completion of the Seattle–Bellevue section with its extended timeline.
On August 24, 2023, the Sound Transit Board approved a new operating plan for the 2 Line that included the starter line.[180] The line would debut with two-car trainsets that run at 10-minute frequencies for 16 hours per day between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology stations. The remaining sections to Seattle and Downtown Redmond are planned to open in 2025, along with the full length of the 2 Line to Lynnwood.[180][181] Pre-revenue service testing on the starter line began on November 1,[182] followed by a 40-day period of simulated service that began January 22, 2024.[183] Regular service is scheduled to begin on April 27, 2024.[184]
Downtown Redmond Extension
The 3.7-mile (6.0 km) Overlake to downtown Redmond segment of East Link was granted engineering and design funding in Sound Transit 2, passed by voters in 2008, leaving a future ballot measure to fund construction.[50] During a funding shortfall in 2010, Sound Transit suspended engineering work on the downtown Redmond segment, which was later restored in 2016.[185] The Sound Transit Board studied several alternative alignments in the downtown Redmond area and selected a route through Marymoor Park and on a disused railroad, terminating at the Redmond Town Center mall.[114] The project was included in the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure, passed by voters in 2016,[186] and preliminary design work began the following year.[187] The project began construction in 2019 and is expected to open in 2025, several months later than the original late 2024 schedule.[173][188] Sound Transit filed a lawsuit against Microsoft in March 2020 for access to land in the future right of way on State Route 520, after a dispute over payment for the property and easement.[189]
As of February 2024[update], the project is 85 percent complete and scheduled to open in early 2025.[183]
Route
East Link diverges from the
The tracks continue onto an elevated viaduct that travels over Interstate 405 and turn north over the Eastside Rail Corridor. Trains reach Wilburton station, on the north side of Northeast 8th Street, and follow the Eastside Rail Corridor while descending to ground level near Lake Bellevue.[190] At Northeast 12th Street, the tracks turn east, while the Eastside Rail Corridor continues north along another set of tracks leading to Link's East operations and maintenance facility. Trains continue into a trench with a station at 120th Avenue, in the center of the Spring District development.[190] The tracks cross over Kelsey Creek and return to street level at BelRed station, traveling northeast in the median of Northeast Spring Boulevard and 136th Place Northeast. After crossing Northeast 20th Street, trains ascend onto an elevated guideway that follows the south side of State Route 520, crossing over the 148th Avenue Northeast interchange and stopping at Overlake Village station. East Link descends to ground level and turns north along the freeway and approaches its initial terminus at Redmond Technology station, located at Northeast 40th Street on the Microsoft Redmond campus.[190][193] The Downtown Redmond Extension will continue along State Route 520 towards downtown Redmond, stopping at a station northeast of Marymoor Park. The extension then turns west, crossing under the freeway, and terminates at Downtown Redmond station near the intersection of Cleveland Street and 166th Avenue Northeast.[187][194]
Stations
Station | City | Location | Planned opening[195] |
Type | Connections and notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Continues into Lynnwood
| |||||
International District/Chinatown | Seattle | 5th Avenue S and S Jackson Street | 2025 | Underground | Transfer to Sounder commuter rail, Amtrak, First Hill Streetcar |
Judkins Park | Interstate 90 and Rainier Avenue S | 2025 | Surface | ||
Mercer Island | Mercer Island | Interstate 90 and 80th Avenue SE | 2025 | Surface | Park and ride: 447 stalls |
South Bellevue | Bellevue | 2700 Bellevue Way SE | April 27, 2024 | Elevated | Park and ride: 1,500 stalls |
East Main | 112th Avenue SE and Main Street | April 27, 2024 | Surface | ||
Bellevue Downtown
|
NE 6th Street and 110th Avenue NE | April 27, 2024 | Retained cut | Transfer to RapidRide B Line | |
Wilburton | 116th Avenue NE and NE 8th Street | April 27, 2024 | Elevated | Transfer to RapidRide B Line | |
Spring District | NE 15th Street and 120th Avenue NE | April 27, 2024 | Retained cut | ||
BelRed | NE Spring Boulevard and 130th Avenue NE | April 27, 2024 | Surface | Park and ride: 300 stalls | |
Overlake Village | Redmond | 152nd Avenue NE and NE Shen Street | April 27, 2024 | Surface | Transfer to RapidRide B Line |
Redmond Technology | 156th Avenue NE and NE 40th Street | April 27, 2024 | Surface | Transfer to RapidRide B Line Park and ride: 300 stalls | |
Marymoor Village | State Route 520 and NE 70th Street | 2025 | Surface | Park and ride: 1,400 stalls | |
Downtown Redmond | Cleveland Street and 166th Avenue NE | 2025 | Elevated | Transfer to RapidRide B Line |
Service plans
When fully opened in 2025, the 2 Line (formerly known during planning as the Blue Line) is planned to operate between Lynnwood and Redmond, serving all stations on the East Link Extension and sharing tracks with the 1 Line from Lynnwood to Downtown Seattle.[180][196] The initial starter line opening in 2024 would have ten-minute frequencies and serve eight stations between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology.[180] The Seattle–Redmond section, to open fully in 2025,[180] would have trains every eight minutes at peak and ten minutes mid-day and on weekends, with a combined frequency of four minutes at peak and five minutes off-peak on the Lynnwood–Seattle shared with the 1 Line.[197] The 2011 final environmental impact statement had initially assumed three-car operations with a headway of eight minutes during peak, twelve minutes during the day on weekdays and weekends, and fifteen minutes during early morning and late evening service.[198]
East Link trains are anticipated to carry 50,000 daily passengers by 2030, and take 20 minutes to travel from International District/Chinatown station to Downtown Bellevue, and 10 minutes from Downtown Bellevue to Redmond Technology station.[199] Sound Transit's current bus service on the west half of the corridor, Sound Transit Express Route 550, carries over 10,000 daily passengers and takes 35 minutes to travel from Seattle to Bellevue.[200][201] King County Metro's RapidRide B Line operates on the east half of the corridor, traveling between Bellevue and Overlake at a frequency of 10 to 15 minutes.[202][203]
The 2 Line is planned to be extended to the Mariner area of
References
- ^ "Sound Transit updates East Link preferred route" (Press release). Sound Transit. April 22, 2010. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ Reynolds, Peggy (November 26, 1990). "'The biggest thing afloat'". The Seattle Times. p. A5. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Whitely, Peyton (April 16, 1998). "Before the Bridge: From 1870 to 1950, most Eastsiders who wanted to cross Lake Washington traveled by ferry". The Seattle Times. p. B3. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Four Bus Lines Will Use Floating Bridge". The Seattle Times. June 30, 1940. p. 2.
- ^ Barr, Robert A. (July 27, 1970). "Evergreen Bridge Congestion Under Study". The Seattle Times. p. A7.
- ^ Whitely, Peyton (November 26, 1972). "Reversible lane tops ideas for Evergreen Point bridge". The Seattle Times. p. A5.
- ^ Moody, Dick (November 28, 1965). "East Side May Have 550,000 in 1990". The Seattle Times. p. 1.
- ^ Moody, Dick (November 3, 1965). "More Answers Due On Rapid Transit". The Seattle Times. p. 12.
- ^ Robinson, Herb (June 27, 1967). "New Bridge Plan Tied To Transit". The Seattle Times. p. 2.
- ^ Lane, Bob (April 26, 1970). "Rapid Transit: How It Will Serve". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
- ^ Moody, Dick (November 9, 1966). "City Moving Toward System of Subways". The Seattle Times. p. 37.
- ^ Cohen, Josh (October 14, 2016). "How Seattle blew its chance at a subway system". Crosscut.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Past and Present I-90/East Corridor HCT Alternatives Studies (PDF) (Report). Sound Transit. March 2006. pp. 8–14. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lane, Bob (June 17, 1975). "Study weighs transit substitutes for I-90 bridge". The Seattle Times. p. A14.
- ^ Lane, Bob (January 25, 1976). "A safe guess: New I-90 won't be a miracle". The Seattle Times. p. D4.
- ^ Pryne, Eric (November 10, 1976). "Mercer Is. view of I-90: Negotiators slugged it out with the 'giant'". The Seattle Times. p. H1.
- ^ "Metro re-emphasizes its 2-transit-lanes support". The Seattle Times. January 16, 1976. p. E4.
- ^ Lane, Bob (March 22, 1981). "'Light-rail' system might solve transit problems, says study". The Seattle Times. p. A16.
- ^ Corsaletti, Louis T. (January 29, 1986). "Hub plan is answer to transportation woes; but some suburban areas say it overlooks needs". The Seattle Times. p. D3.
- OCLC 15608855.
- ^ Bergsman, Jerry (August 21, 1990). "Everett's OK may speed regional transit". The Seattle Times. p. C2.
- ^ Williams, Marla; Schaefer, David (May 30, 1993). "Transit plan paves costly road to future". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
- (PDF) from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2018 – via Sound Transit.
- ^ from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Schaefer, David (July 7, 1993). "Regional transit unit gets go-ahead". The Seattle Times. p. B3.
- ^ Schaefer, David (February 12, 1995). "On the right track? Questions, answers to the $6.7 billion proposal". The Seattle Times. p. A1.
- ^ "The Regional Transit System Proposal: East King County" (PDF). Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority. February 1995. pp. 5–6. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Schaefer, David; Murakami, Kery (March 15, 1995). "Transit plan derailed: Pierce, Snohomish county voters say no to $6.7 billion proposal". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Schaefer, David; Ervin, Keith (March 6, 1995). "A long road to opposition: Kemper Freeman Jr. vs. the RTA". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Schaefer, David (October 6, 1996). "Looking at the new transit proposal". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (May 6, 1996). "New transit plan has 'friends' jumping track". The Seattle Times. p. A1.
- ^ Schaefer, David (November 7, 1996). "Transit plan can trace surprise success to suburbs". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Schaefer, David (November 6, 1996). "Voters back transit plan on fourth try". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Whitely, Peyton (September 17, 1999). "Buses ready to roll". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Whitely, Peyton (November 22, 1997). "Lake Washington traffic study would involve variety of groups". The Seattle Times. p. A11.
- ^ Whitely, Peyton (November 5, 1998). "Cross-lake traffic solutions trimmed". The Seattle Times. p. B3.
- ^ Whitely, Peyton (January 31, 2002). "12 options get go-ahead on Highway 520". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
- ^ Whitely, Peyton (August 23, 2000). "2 options offered for I-90's future". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
- ^ Hadley, Jane (July 16, 2003). "Eastside, Seattle bridge the gap". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Pryne, Eric (November 19, 2004). "Eastside transit proposals unveiled". The Seattle Times. p. B1.
- OCLC 60557791. Archived from the original(PDF) on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Chiu, Lisa; Lindblom, Mike (July 14, 2006). "Sound Transit's board endorses light-rail link between Seattle, Eastside". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Chiu, Lisa (July 6, 2006). "Eastside sounds off about Sound Transit's new plans". The Seattle Times. p. B3. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Chiu, Lisa (September 13, 2006). "Light-rail options on the table: Sound Transit to unveil East Link plans". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Bach, Ashley (October 16, 2007). "Transit package's Eastside benefits debated". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Board adopts Sound Transit 2 Plan proposing 50 miles of light rail expansions" (Press release). Sound Transit. May 23, 2007. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Garber, Andrew (November 7, 2007). "Huge roads-transit plan gets trounced". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Light-rail input sought at meeting". The Seattle Times. January 5, 2008. p. B3.
- ^ Lange, Larry (November 5, 2008). "Sound Transit's package is passing; I-985 falling short". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. A14. Archived from the original on April 16, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b "Sound Transit 2, A Mass Transit Guide: The Regional Transit System Plan for Central Puget Sound" (PDF). Sound Transit. July 2008. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 2, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (July 25, 2008). "Sound Transit sending voters $17.9 billion rail-and-bus plan". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Pryne, Eric (December 16, 2005). "Test shows I-90 bridge can take light rail". The Seattle Times. p. B4. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. (March 2006). "East Corridor HCT – Summary of I-90 Floating Bridge (Homer Hadley) Studies" (PDF). Sound Transit. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 20, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (July 21, 2006). "I-90 floating bridge can be made safe for rail, officials say". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on March 11, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lange, Larry (June 19, 2008). "Panel studies adding trains to I-90 bridge". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. B5. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Slovan, Margie (August 13, 2008). "Light rail on I-90 bridge gets a preliminary OK". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Independent review team confirms that light rail can run on I-90 floating bridge" (PDF). Sound Transit. February 12, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 13, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ S2CID 117185460. Archived from the original(PDF) on November 7, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ OCLC 1010682357. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Lindblom, Mike (May 14, 2017). "World's first light rail on a floating bridge: For I-90, Sound Transit had to invent 'a brilliant solution'". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit floating bridge tech for light rail wins award". Metro Magazine. November 1, 2017. Archived from the original on November 1, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (March 24, 2017). "I-90 light-rail cost estimate takes a $225 million jump". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Long, Katherine (May 2, 2010). "Kemper Freeman is suing to stop light-rail expansion to Eastside". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (September 17, 2010). "Rail foes challenge I-90 plan". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (April 22, 2011). "I-90 light-rail opponents led by Kemper Freeman lose case at high court". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (March 10, 2012). "Kemper Freeman loses lawsuit; light-rail can be built on I-90 bridge". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- Mercer Island Reporter. June 1, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- Bellevue Reporter. March 9, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith; Lindblom, Mike (September 13, 2013). "High court rejects Kemper Freeman attempt to stop I-90 light rail". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Chiu, Lisa (September 30, 2006). "Path for light rail to wait after vote". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Bach, Ashley (December 15, 2006). "Panel: Tunnel won't be only option studied for light rail". The Seattle Times. p. B3. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Tsong, Nicole (February 25, 2009). "Bellevue envisions tunnel for light rail". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (May 4, 2009). "Bellevue eyes Sound Transit train tunnel; Microsoft wants surface route". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit Motion No. M2009-41" (PDF). Sound Transit. May 14, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 6, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Cohen, Aubrey (May 13, 2009). "Surface route chosen for Eastside light rail". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Larin, Lindsay (October 16, 2009). "Sound Transit updates Bellevue City Council on latest light rail tunnel option". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit presenting another routing alternative for light rail in Downtown Bellevue". Bellevue Reporter. September 24, 2009. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- Publicola. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lloyd, Sarah Anne (January 28, 2010). "Why Don't Rich Eastside Developers Want Light Rail in Downtown Bellevue?". The Stranger. Archived from the original on October 4, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Ervin, Keith (October 25, 2011). "Bellevue council elections divide developers". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on February 19, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Hicks, Joshua Adam (November 17, 2009). "New light-rail plan avoids downtown core". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on November 20, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (February 8, 2010). "Light-rail 'vision' elevated track would run along I-405". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Bellevue City Council will consider changing preferred light-rail routes". Bellevue Reporter. January 14, 2010. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Tsong, Nicole (March 2, 2010). "Bellevue drops Mercer Slough light-rail route". The Seattle Times. p. B2. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Hicks, Joshua Adam (March 23, 2010). "Bellevue City Council unanimous on new downtown light-rail tunnel". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on March 28, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (April 22, 2010). "Bellevue council's offer keeps light-rail tunnel alive". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Hicks, Joshua Adam (April 22, 2010). "Sound Transit names preferred light-rail routes for Bellevue". Bellevue Reporter. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit Motion No. M2010-44" (PDF). Sound Transit. April 22, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 6, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Hicks, Joshua Adam (July 1, 2010). "New tunnel, more grumbling as Bellevue light-rail decision nears". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on July 11, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Hicks, Joshua Adam (August 12, 2010). "Sound Transit will re-think Bellevue tunnel in light of bad economy". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Tsong, Nicole (July 21, 2010). "Bellevue council sticks with light-rail route Sound Transit opposes". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Hicks, Joshua Adam (July 23, 2010). "Sound Transit board makes light-rail decision, exchanges barbs with Bellevue mayor". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on July 30, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (October 4, 2010). "Bellevue council votes for more study of its preferred light-rail route". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (September 14, 2010). "Council continues analysis on railway corridor route for Bellevue light-rail". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit releases East Link SDEIS". Bellevue Reporter. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (November 30, 2010). "Debate between south Bellevue light-rail alignments dominates public hearing". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (May 27, 2011). "The cost of dithering: Bellevue rail delayed to 2023". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (May 26, 2011). "Sound Transit ready to 'pull the trigger' on East Link". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (May 20, 2011). "Execs urge Bellevue council to settle on light-rail route". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Tsong, Nicole (January 12, 2011). "Light-rail squabble fractures Bellevue council". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (June 7, 2011). "Bellevue council probe narrowed to Wallace". The Seattle Times. p. B2. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (July 26, 2011). "Bellevue official had no conflict of interest, investigator finds". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (May 27, 2013). "Bellevue council can't agree on proposed ethics code". The Seattle Times. p. B4. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (November 3, 2011). "Light-rail views drive Bellevue council races". The Seattle Times. p. B2. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (November 29, 2011). "Recount due in Bellevue's Stokes-Laing race". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Pro-light-rail group is fined". The Seattle Times. December 13, 2011. p. B2.
- ^ Levy, Nat (May 17, 2011). "Council gets look at consultant's light-rail report". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (June 14, 2011). "Council wraps up East Link study". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (July 7, 2011). "Bellevue, Sound Transit, engaged in 'high-level' discussions over light-rail route". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (July 19, 2011). "Bellevue, Sound Transit down to the wire on light-rail deal". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit issues Final Environmental Impact Statement for East Link" (Press release). Sound Transit. July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (July 12, 2011). "Bellevue, Sound Transit to meet over light-rail route". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Ervin, Keith (July 29, 2011). "Sound Transit approves East Link light-rail route". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (August 9, 2011). "Bellevue keeps light-rail plan, talks with Sound Transit going". The Seattle Times. p. B2. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Levy, Nat (August 9, 2011). "Bellevue OKs outline of light-rail talks with Sound Transit over route". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (September 20, 2011). "Bellevue seeks views on light rail as deadline nears". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Bellevue council wants more time for light-rail negotiations, sets public hearing". Bellevue Reporter. October 25, 2011. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (October 25, 2011). "Bellevue council backs elevated light-rail crossing". The Seattle Times. p. B4.
- ^ Levy, Nat (November 15, 2011). "It's unanimous: Bellevue City Council OKs light-rail agreement". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on January 14, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "FTA issues Record of Decision approving East Link light rail alignment" (Press release). Sound Transit. November 27, 2011. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "East Link Light Rail: Cost Savings Ideas Open House" (PDF). Sound Transit. April 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (April 25, 2012). "Officials work to cut costs on Bellevue light-rail project". The Seattle Times. p. B3. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (June 4, 2012). "Different site for light-rail station in Bellevue could save millions". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (June 6, 2012). "Bellevue considers raising road instead of elevated light-rail tracks". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (June 29, 2012). "Light-rail plan moves ahead in Bellevue; UW-Northgate project OK'd". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit Motion No. M2012-76" (PDF). Sound Transit. October 25, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (October 17, 2012). "Bellevue City Council votes to keep studying surface light rail". The Seattle Times. p. B2. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Groves, Kaitlin (October 5, 2012). "City faces emotional opposition to light rail savings plan". Bellevue Reporter. Archived from the original on January 14, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Kareiva, Celina (February 27, 2013). "Light-rail winners: Council, Sound Transit, neighbors all happy with city's new land use code". Bellevue Reporter. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Ervin, Keith (March 16, 2013). "Bellevue, Sound Transit, judge keep light-rail plan on track". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (June 14, 2012). "2 groups sue over Bellevue light-rail plan as it moves ahead". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- OCLC 833166559. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (April 22, 2013). "In historic step, Bellevue approves light-rail route". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ^ a b "Sound Transit Board approves cost-saving refinements to East Link alignment" (Press release). Sound Transit. April 25, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (April 26, 2013). "Sound Transit signs off on Bellevue's light-rail route". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ^ "Bellevue: Sound Transit hosts open house". The Seattle Times. May 11, 2013. p. B2.
- ^ "First Amendment to the Transit Way Agreement Between the City of Bellevue and the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority" (PDF). City of Bellevue. June 14, 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit identifies Bellevue site as preferred alternative for new light rail operations base" (Press release). Sound Transit. July 24, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Vaughn, Alexa (June 30, 2014). "Potential rail-yard sites threaten Bellevue's businesses, vision". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (November 24, 2012). "Plan for Bellevue light-rail yard stuns city officials". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Ervin, Keith (October 25, 2013). "Mars Hill wants to move Bellevue church to Sound Transit-owned site". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Thompson, Lynn (April 10, 2015). "Bellevue mayor on revised light-rail deal: 'Lemonade with sweetener'". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit Resolution No. R2015-04" (PDF). Sound Transit. April 23, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $1.33 Billion Loan for Sound Transit's Link Light Rail Extension from Seattle to Redmond" (Press release). Federal Transit Administration. January 16, 2015. Archived from the original on May 24, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b "Sound Transit kicks off East Link light rail construction" (Press release). Sound Transit. April 22, 2016. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
- ^ "Sound Transit, Bellevue moving forward with East Link" (Press release). Sound Transit. April 23, 2015. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Whittenberg, Jake (April 13, 2016). "Home demolitions begin Monday in Bellevue for East Link light rail". KING 5 News. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (February 25, 2017). "Bellevue transit tunnel underway, but no giant drill for this job". The Seattle Times. p. B2. Archived from the original on March 17, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Zhou, Nuoya (June 29, 2017). "Sound Transit begins to install light rail on floating bridge". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Metzger, Katie (June 5, 2017). "I-90 center lanes closed as of June 4 for light rail construction". Mercer Island Reporter. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "New I-90 HOV lane from Mercer Island to Bellevue opens today" (Press release). Sound Transit. March 29, 2012. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (June 1, 2017). "Mercer Island braces for new I-90 bottlenecks as light-rail work begins". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Metzger, Katie (July 3, 2017). "East Link light rail construction underway on I-90 bridge". Mercer Island Reporter. Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (May 5, 2017). "Park-and-ride closure in Bellevue: Commuters angry, feeling stranded". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "June 2017 Progress Report: Link Light Rail Program" (PDF). Sound Transit. June 2017. p. 45. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "From the Boardroom: East Link Update, 2018 Financial Plan and more". The Platform. Sound Transit. October 27, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "First elevated section of East Link extension under construction in downtown Bellevue" (Press release). Sound Transit. December 12, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Light rail guideway construction underway in BelRed" (Press release). Sound Transit. March 29, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- ^ Banner, Ellen (June 6, 2018). "The rail link from Seattle to Bellevue takes shape". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- ^ Crowe, Michael (May 22, 2018). "Construction worker dies after fall at Bellevue light rail site". KING 5 News. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit completes East Link Bellevue tunnel excavation" (Press release). Sound Transit. July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ "Sound Transit completes construction of East Link Bellevue tunnel" (Press release). Sound Transit. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ "East Link construction reaches 50-percent completion milestone" (Press release). Sound Transit. April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- ^ Kunkler, Aaron (April 5, 2018). "Construction underway at Sound Transit's Operations and Maintenance Facility East". Redmond Reporter. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ Sullivan, Chris (October 11, 2018). "East Link project hits 30 percent completion as Seattle construction begins". KIRO Radio. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- ^ Gray, Bruce (November 15, 2018). "East Link light rail line already transforming Eastside skyline". The Platform. Sound Transit. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- ^ Newcomb, Tim (January 7, 2019). "East Link Rail Installation Underway with Ballasted Trackbed". Engineering News-Record. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^ "East Link Light Rail". City of Bellevue. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Hockett, Charlie (February 1, 2021). "East Link: You asked, we answer". The Platform. Sound Transit. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "Test trains now running on East Link light rail from Bellevue to Redmond". KING 5 News. November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
- ^ Cunningham, Rachelle (February 8, 2022). "East Link train testing moves into live wire stages". The Platform. Sound Transit. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ a b Lindblom, Mike (August 18, 2022). "More delays for light rail to Bellevue, Redmond, Federal Way, Lynnwood". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (April 28, 2022). "Sound Transit's light-rail project to the Eastside is running late". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike; Banner, Ellen (April 14, 2023). "Bad light-rail ties on I-90 bridge can't be fixed, must be rebuilt". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (November 9, 2022). "An Eastside-only light-rail line? Here's why it might happen". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ Timm, Julie (December 8, 2022). "An update on Link projects in construction". The Platform. Sound Transit. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (January 13, 2023). "Lynnwood or Bellevue: Which city should get light-rail service first?". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "2024 Service Plan Proposal – East Subarea". Sound Transit. July 2023. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Lindblom, Mike (August 24, 2023). "Eastside-only light rail should open in March, Sound Transit says". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Belman, Brooke (August 24, 2023). "Get ready for new Link service on the Eastside next spring". The Platform. Sound Transit. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (November 1, 2023). "Look both ways! Eastside light-rail trains begin practice runs". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ a b Lindblom, Mike (February 9, 2024). "Trains in training: Sound Transit powers up its future Eastside light rail route". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (February 15, 2024). "Sound Transit sets a date for Bellevue-Redmond trains". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Stiles, Marc (February 26, 2016). "Light rail may reach Federal Way, downtown Redmond after all". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (November 14, 2016). "Where Sound Transit 3 projects could speed up or slow down". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on August 28, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b "Sound Transit to study elevated light rail in downtown Redmond" (Press release). Sound Transit. June 23, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "ST breaks ground on $1.5B Redmond Link extension". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (March 24, 2020). "Sound Transit sues longtime ally Microsoft in effort to condemn land for Redmond light rail". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "Sound Transit Resolution No. R2013-09" (PDF). Sound Transit. April 25, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Thompson, Lynn (August 15, 2016). "Neighbors worry about Mercer Slough amid East Link light-rail construction". The Seattle Times. p. A1. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Murray, Ryan (January 14, 2016). "Sound Transit gives tunnel presentation to emotional crowd". Bellevue Reporter. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b "Location & stations". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Locations and stations — Downtown Redmond Link Extension". Sound Transit. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Link 2 Line service between South Bellevue Station and Redmond Technology Station begins April 27" (Press release). Sound Transit. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ "2018 Service Implementation Plan" (PDF). Sound Transit. March 2018. pp. 64–66. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ "Lynnwood Link Extension: Northgate to Lynnwood City Center" (PDF). Lynnwood Link Connections. King County Metro. February 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- OCLC 740478022. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "East Link Extension Overview Folio" (PDF). Sound Transit. October 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Lindblom, Mike (June 25, 2017). "Reprieve for bus riders in Seattle's transit tunnel, but cascading projects to multiply traffic challenges". The Seattle Times. p. B1. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Route 550". Sound Transit. Archived from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Christianson, Bill (September 30, 2011). "RapidRide bus service begins this weekend". Bellevue Reporter. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ Metro Transit System: Northeast Area (PDF) (Map). King County Metro. September 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Sound Transit future service (PDF) (Map). Sound Transit. March 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
- ^ Shaner, Zee (April 9, 2020). "New line names coming in 2021". The Platform. Sound Transit. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
- ^ "South Kirkland to Central Issaquah via Bellevue Light Rail" (PDF). Sound Transit. July 1, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
External links
- Media related to East Link Extension at Wikimedia Commons
- Project website