When the Crosslake Connection opens on March 28, the 2 Line will link the Eastside and Seattle, creating a faster, more reliable way to travel across Lake Washington.
But the benefits of the project go beyond mobility. From responsible construction practices to renewable energy installations, sustainability has been a key consideration in how we designed and built this connection.
Together, these efforts support Sound Transit’s commitment to building infrastructure that serves the region today while protecting the environment for the future.
Building sustainability into construction
Large infrastructure projects generate significant amounts of waste during construction. For the Crosslake Connection, the project team worked to minimize environmental impacts by carefully managing how those materials were handled.
Through recycling and other responsible disposal practices, we successfully diverted more than 85% of the project’s construction waste – keeping these materials in use and out of landfills.
Investing in renewable energy
Sustainability also extends to long-term systemwide operations.
At Judkins Park Station, we installed an array of solar panels with a capacity of 13.34 kilowatts. The system will generate renewable energy on site and will contribute to broader efforts to expand the use of clean energy across the transit system.
Designing with long-term sustainability in mind
We evaluated sustainability throughout the planning and design process for the Crosslake Connection.
Project teams used a “total cost of ownership” approach to evaluate potential sustainability features. This method considers not only the upfront cost of a feature, but also its long-term operational and maintenance costs.
Based on this analysis, we incorporated several sustainable design elements into the project, including energy-efficient LED tunnel lighting and the Judkins Park solar array.
Transit and climate progress
Public transit plays an important role in supporting regional sustainability goals by giving people more reliable alternatives to driving and offering a cleaner way to travel, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
More transit service means better connected and more accessible communities, making it easier for people to reach jobs, housing, and services without relying on a car.
More sustainability stories from the 2 Line
The Crosslake Connection is just one part of a broader effort to integrate sustainability into the 2 Line and other Sound Transit projects.
Across the corridor, teams have worked on projects that restore habitat, protect wetlands, and build facilities that meet high environmental standards.
Explore more of these sustainability efforts:
Wetland restoration at Sweyolocken – how mitigation work is supporting local ecosystems
Ronald Bog restoration – protecting sensitive habitat and local history
OMF East sustainability features – the environmental design behind Sound Transit’s Eastside light rail operations base
These projects reflect an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship as the regional transit system continues to expand.
Looking ahead
As Sound Transit continues building new lines and connections, sustainability will remain a key part of project planning and construction.
More environmental initiatives are planned for future projects and upcoming system openings. Riders and community members can expect continued progress as Sound Transit advances sustainable infrastructure and responsible environmental practices across the region.