What's Happening Now
You can now ride light rail across Lake Washington! Sound Transit opened the Crosslake Connection on March 28, completing the 2 Line. This connection across Lake Washington brings the region closer together, linking Seattle and the Eastside. It is also the only place in the world you can ride light rail across a floating bridge.
Sound Transit train crosses Lake Washington. Photo by Sound Transit
Bike, Walk & Roll to the Judkins Park Station
As part of this new light rail connection, Sound Transit will open Judkins Park Station and now is great time to explore how you can walk, bike, roll, or take transit to the station. SDOT improved many of these routes to help people connect to light rail and we can’t wait to see you out there!
About the Expansion
Sound Transit is building 13 new and expanded light rail stations with service to West Seattle in 2032 and Ballard in 2039. The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions (WSBLE) include a new transit tunnel under Downtown and two water crossings. It is the largest transit investment in our city’s history.
Additional Stations
• Pinehurst Station
• Graham Street Station
• Boeing Access Road Station
Why Light Rail?
Benefits of expanding light rail
- reduces traffic congestion
- improves air quality, environmental sustainability
- attracts new businesses and residents
- revitalizes neighborhoods
- adds rapid, reliable and efficient high-capacity service
- enhances mobility, especially for those who depend on transit
How light rail differs from bus transit
- greater capacity
- improved reliability with dedicated travel space
- economic development potential
Please refer to Sound Transit's website for details on project delivery dates.
Map graphic: Sound Transit
Sound Transit and the City are working together to create a more connected, more productive region by making it easier and safer for people to take transit to jobs, housing, and the many opportunities the Seattle area offers. — Goran Sparrman, Interim CEO, Sound Transit
How the City and Sound Transit Work Together
City of Seattle |
Sound Transit |
| Leads the design and construction of street improvements to make it safer to travel to and from the light rail stations in Seattle | Leads the design and construction of the West Seattle Light Rail Extension and Ballard Light Rail Extension, known as Sound Transit 3 (ST3) |
| Manages arterial and residential street use and maintenance in the City of Seattle | Operates the light rail system in Seattle and throughout the region |
| Updates city codes to align permit requirements with city environmental goals | Manages the siting for light rail stations and track alignments |
| Ensures compliance with city codes and permit requirements | Discusses mitigation efforts with property and business owners |
| Develops transit-oriented design around the station | Develops transit-oriented design at the station |
| Engages stakeholders and the public about its areas of responsibility | Engages stakeholders and the public about its areas of responsibility |
| Overseen by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), the Mayor, and City Council | Overseen by the CEO and Board of Sound Transit |