Sound Transit news release
Link 2 Line service between South Bellevue Station and Redmond Technology Station begins April 27
Link light rail will serve eight new stations on the EastsideFebruary 15, 2024
Sound Transit announced today that the initial segment of the Link 2 Line will open to passenger service on April 27.
The 6.5-mile segment of the East Link Extension includes eight new stations in Bellevue and Redmond. This initial segment will terminate at the South Bellevue Station at the west end, and the Redmond Technology Station on the east. Two-car trains will run every 10 minutes, 16 hours a day.
“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 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 Sound Transit Boardmember 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!”
“We are thrilled to celebrate the 2 Line opening at Bellevue Downtown Station,” said Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson. “Bellevue’s partnership with Sound Transit has been guided by a shared vision to improve mobility and access for everyone who lives, works and plays in Bellevue and the region. This opening brings us even closer to a future with a multitude of effective transportation options to get where you need to go on the Eastside and beyond.”
“Light rail’s arrival to Redmond is monumental, as our region is undergoing rapid transformation,” said Redmond Mayor and Sound Transit Board Member Angela Birney. “We are grateful for our federal, state and local partners who have been with us for decades to get to this point, as well as to our voters who made this path a reality. I look forward to seeing our community celebrate on opening day and take a ride on this easy, traffic-free connection between Redmond and Bellevue.”
“The 2 Line is the product of the sustained commitment of project partners and community members, and years of hard work by Sound Transit staff and contractors,” said Sound Transit Interim CEO Goran Sparrman. “Having worked on the East Link project with the City of Bellevue in the planning phase, I’m excited to see the project moving toward opening.”
The full 2 Line is expected to open in 2025. Completion of the 1-90 segment of East Link was delayed by quality issues, which are currently being corrected. When completed, the I-90 segment will add the Mercer Island and Judkins Park stations to the 2 Line and connect to the 1 Line at the International District/Chinatown Station in downtown Seattle. The Downtown Redmond Link Extension is also scheduled to open in 2025 with the Marymoor Village and Downtown Redmond stations completing the 2 Line.
Starting April 27, the 2 Line will serve the following stations:
- South Bellevue
- East Main
- Bellevue Downtown
- Wilburton
- Spring District
- BelRed
- Overlake Village
- Redmond Technology
Service will run from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week and will connect with the regional transit network at South Bellevue, Bellevue Downtown and Redmond Technology stations.
Parking is available at South Bellevue, BelRed and Redmond Technology stations. Several stations are accessible from the Eastrail corridor and the regional trail network. Secure bike parking is available at every station.
Everyone is invited to celebrate opening day with Sound Transit and its partners on Saturday, April 27. The festivities will start with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Bellevue Downtown Station at 10 a.m. Link service will begin operating after the ribbon cutting at approximately 11 a.m.
Following the ribbon cutting and throughout the day, all eight of the new stations will feature different activities, exhibits and entertainment. Anyone who participates in a Discover.Stamp.Win activity and visits all eight stations will be eligible to enter a prize drawing.
People attending the opening day celebrations are encouraged to walk, bike or take transit to connect with the 2 Line. Plan your trip using the Sound Transit Trip Planner.
Visit soundtransit.org/Discover2Line for maps and information about how to ride.
