East Link is Sound Transit’s voter-approved project to build light rail between Seattle and Overlake. Sound Transit is also conducting environmental review on the future extension between Overlake and downtown Redmond. The Sound Transit Board of Directors recently identified a preferred East Link alternative with eastside stations serving Mercer Island, south Bellevue, downtown Bellevue, Bel-Red, Overlake, and downtown Redmond, connecting to Seattle via I-90.
By 2030, East Link light rail will connect the Eastside’s biggest population and employment centers, serving 40,000 – 45,000 daily riders on one of the region’s most congested travel corridors.
Preferred Alternative Identified
Seattle & Mercer Island (using I-90) Map
Light rail will run on the existing I-90 center roadway across Lake Washington with stations at Rainier Avenue in Seattle and Mercer Island. New HOV lanes will be constructed on the I-90 outer roadways adding 24-hour bus transit and HOV service both east and westbound while preserving the existing number of general purpose lanes.
South Bellevue Map
Trains will run from I-90 north along Bellevue Way Southeast and 112th Avenue Southeast with a station serving south Bellevue. Subject to further evaluation, the route will be on the east side of Bellevue Way and 112th Southeast.
Downtown Bellevue Map
Trains will run at-grade on 108th Avenue Northeast and 110th Avenue Northeast. However, the Sound Transit Board will consider a largely bored tunnel under 108th Avenue Northeast if additional funding is found. Sound Transit is working with the City of Bellevue to identify additional funding sources for the Board to consider prior to the completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
Bel-Red/Overlake Corridor Map
Trains will serve the Bel-Red corridor, Overlake Village and Microsoft’s campus in a combination of elevated and at-grade alignments located north of Bel-Red Road. Subject to further evaluation, the route will be on the north side of Northeast 24th Street in the Overlake Village area.
Redmond Map
Although funding has not been approved for construction of the segment between Overlake Transit Center and downtown Redmond, voters did fund preliminary design and environmental study. The Sound Transit Board identified a future route running along State Route 520 and the northern edge of Marymoor Park to a station in downtown Redmond. A terminal station near Redmond Town Center is under evaluation.
More Information About the Preferred Alternative
Up Next
- Sound Transit is currently designing the preferred alternative, including making modifications that were identified by the Sound Transit Board.
- In coming months, the East Link project team will be collecting critical survey information, including drilling geotechnical borings, needed to create a base map of the preferred alternative.
- A Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared using the preferred alternative, as well as the other alternatives from the Draft EIS. The Final EIS will document and respond to all comments received during the Draft EIS comment period and describe proposed mitigation commitments.
- In 2010, following completion of the Final EIS, the Sound Transit Board will make a final decision on the East Link project scope.
Get Involved, Stay Informed!
Sound Transit’s East Link project team hosted a series of workshops in October, and these will be followed by open houses in Spring 2010. During the October public meetings, participants had the opportunity to:
- Learn about the East Link light rail system
- Provide feedback to inform the preliminary engineering of the project
- Tell us more about your community and how East Link can best serve you.
Couldn't make it to the workshop? Fill out one of our workbooks instead:
East Link Workbooks
South Bellevue Corridor Workbook
Draft EIS
The Draft EIS is available for review at the links below.
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Executive Summary, East Link Project Draft EIS
(pdf, 9.6 mb)
East Link Project Draft EIS complete document in pdf format
The Draft EIS Executive Summary and a CD of the complete Draft EIS are available for free. A printed copy of the Draft EIS, drawings and technical reports are available for a nominal fee ($25 each for the Draft EIS or Drawing and Maps, and $15 for each technical report). Contact Elma Borbe at 206-398-5445 or elma.borbe@soundtransit.org to request copies of any environmental documents.
Sound Transit is committed to ensuring that communities are kept informed as the planning process unfolds. Current and background documents on the East Link project can be downloaded from the East Link Document Library >>>
Stay informed! You can receive, notices of upcoming meetings and updates on this project using our free e-mail subscription service. Enter your email address and select "East Link Project Updates" from the list to subscribe.
Contact Us
Sound Transit staff is available to talk or meet with community members either one-on-one, in small groups or at neighborhood meetings to ensure communities have the most current and accurate project information. For questions or additional information regarding the East Link project, please contact Katie Kuciemba at 206-398-5459 or katie.kuciemba@soundtransit.org.
