Voter approval of the Sound Transit 2 system expansion plan in November 2008 paved the way for 36 new miles of light rail service to the north, east and south. This will expand on the line between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport opening for service in 2009. By 2023, when all of the new projects are in service, a 55-mile light rail system will serve the three-county region.
Link expansion summary - North Corridor
Extension of light rail north from downtown Seattle to the University of Washington, called University Link, is getting underway in 2009 and will open for service in 2016. With passage of Sound Transit 2, voters approved further extension of service north from the University of Washington to Lynnwood, with seven stations along the way. Service to Northgate is expected to open by 2020, with service to Lynnwood open by 2023. Sound Transit’s Long Range Plan envisions future service extending north to Everett, but this is not yet funded.
Link expansion summary -East Corridor
The East Link planning process envisions eventual light rail service to the east from downtown Seattle across I-90 to Bellevue and downtown Redmond. Voter approval of Sound Transit 2 gave the green light to construct and provide service to Bellevue by 2020 and to the Overlake Transit Center by 2021, with nine stations along the way. A future extension to downtown Redmond, included in the Long Range Plan, is unfunded.
Link expansion summary -South Corridor
Sound Transit 2 provided funding for light rail extension of service south from Sea-Tac Airport to the Redondo/Star Lake area of north Federal Way with three stations along the way. Service to the Highline Community College area is expected to open by 2020 and extend to the Redondo/Star Lake area by 2023. A future extension to downtown Tacoma, included in the Long Range Plan, is unfunded.
