Sound Transit to host public meeting to kick off East Link extension to downtown Redmond

Public invited to learn about project design, route and timeline

Sound Transit will hold an open house this week in Redmond about the Downtown Redmond Link Extension, scheduled to open in 2024. 

• Wednesday, May 17, from 5-7 p.m. at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond

In 2011, Sound Transit completed environmental review and the Board selected the East Link project to be built, including the segment to Downtown Redmond. The 2007-2009 Great Recession reduced the projected tax revenues, and the Downtown Redmond project was suspended until funding could be identified. 

Voters approved funding to design and build Link light rail to downtown Redmond in 2016. This project extends Link 3.7 miles along SR 520, from the future Redmond Technology Center station at NE 40th St. to downtown Redmond, with a station and park-and-ride access in southeast Redmond near Marymoor Park. 

Over the next year, Sound Transit will update the project design to reflect changes in the community since project adoption and evaluate potential environmental impacts of the proposed design refinements. Construction is expected to begin in 2020, with light rail open for service by 2024. 

Members of the public are invited to learn about  conceptual design plans for the southeast and downtown Redmond stations; the route from NE 40 St. to downtown Redmond; the preliminary engineering process and timeline; and upcoming opportunities to provide further input into the project.