Light rail to Downtown Redmond opens

Starting today, passengers in east King County will be able to take light rail between downtown Redmond and South Bellevue and easily make convenient connections to the regional transit network. The 3.4-mile extension of the 2 Line includes stations at Marymoor Village and Downtown Redmond, as well as 1,400 new parking spaces at Marymoor Village.   

This is Sound Transit’s fourth opening in the past year-and-a-half and the first ST3 project to open. Last August the Lynnwood Link extension opened, extending the 1 Line by four stations and bringing light rail to Snohomish County for the first time. The 2 Line opened between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station the previous April; and the T Line opened service to Hilltop in September 2023. Two more openings are planned within the next year, with the completion of the 2 Line and the start of 1 Line service to Federal Way.

Voters approved the Downtown Redmond extension in 2016 as part of the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure. The two new stations in Redmond are the first to be completed as part of ST3.

“With the opening of Downtown Redmond Link, Sound Transit now operates 46 miles of light rail across all three counties we serve. This system creates more connections and economic opportunities for people who live, work in, and visit our region,” said Snohomish County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dave Somers.

“Today is an historic milestone for Redmond and our region, as we open the first stations from the Sound Transit 3 ballot measure. An achievement made possible by decades of vision, planning, and leadership,” said Redmond Mayor and Sound Transit Board Member Angela Birney. “We are grateful for our partners, and today’s celebration reflects our shared commitment to building a more connected, livable, and sustainable city.”

“Light rail is already transforming the Eastside, providing fast, safe, and affordable transportation while spurring the creation of new places to live, work and gather,”  said King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Vice Chair Claudia Balducci. "The two new stations at Marymoor Village and Downtown Redmond open great transit access to major destinations and are only possible because of years of dedication to a vision and creativity in execution of the Eastlink starter line. I’m excited to celebrate this milestone and the turn our focus to the final step to complete Eastlink: connecting to the rest of the growing light rail system across Lake Washington."

“Today we are opening the first two light rail stations approved by voters as part of ST3,” said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine. “This is an affirmation of the shared vision of a more connected, more sustainable region, and the product of the dedicated support of the community, our partners, contractors, and staff.”

“Redmond has always been a technology leader,” U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said. “Redmond builds half of the world's satellites. Right here in Redmond, Washington — we are celebrating these innovations, because when it comes to building great businesses, you also have to build great transportation systems. And those transportation systems get people to where they work, where they want to play, restaurants, sporting events and concerts.”

“If we want to innovate, you have to make infrastructure investment,” Cantwell continued. “So everybody, get ready to use your ORCA card.”

“This expansion of the 2 Line into Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village is a game-changer, linking the connecting Eastside communities and giving residents more options to get around,” said U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene. “Investments like this are not just about improving transportation - they’re about fostering growth, creating opportunities, and strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods. This is just the beginning. Eventually, this will connect us all the way into Seattle and other regional transit options.”

“It is a privilege to witness the opening of two new Link Light Rail stations here in Redmond that will serve Microsoft employees and the greater Eastside,” said U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier. “This project is in part funded by low-interest federal loans, delivering millions in savings to taxpayers right here at home. I couldn’t be more excited that we were able to support this critical expansion in our community’s public transportation system.”

“Today marks more than the opening of new Link stations — it's a milestone in delivering on a decades-long vision, collaboration, and commitment to the people of this region”, said King County Executive Shannon Braddock. “With seamless transit connections, expanded trail access, and new links to Marymoor Park, we’re delivering on our shared promise of opportunity, equity, and access. This is what public service looks like — and it’s just the beginning.”

"This new rail line reflects a commitment to protecting the earth, providing a cleaner alternative to single-occupancy vehicles, reducing congestion, and lowering our collective carbon footprint," said Tulalip Tribal Chairwoman Teri Gobin.

“The Building Trades want to thank Sound Transit and its leaders and staff for creating economic opportunity for generations of working people. The investments on the Eastside have created thousands of family-wage jobs for skilled craftspeople and pathways out of poverty for women, people of color, veterans and others who are disadvantaged, into construction careers,” said Eddie Jezek, Vice President, Seattle Building & Construction Trades Council & Business Agent/Political Director, Ironworkers Local 86. “Through apprenticeships and strong training programs, we are working together to help build the next generation of construction workers, many from local communities here on the Eastside. Getting to this significant step on this huge regional system took vision, persistence, and bold leadership – and it will build better lives. Let’s keep building!”

"When the Sound Transit ballot measure passed in 1996, individual voter decisions collectively launched a bold regional vision for faster and cleaner commutes. Today, every time a rider taps an ORCA card, that vision is reality — reducing cars on our roadways, cutting emissions in our air, and providing commuters, including those of us at Microsoft, with more sustainable and efficient transportation options," said Mary Snapp, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Microsoft.

Stacy Witbeck/Kuney JV is the Design-Builder for the Downtown Redmond Link Extension. As part of the Design-Build team, Jacobs and Hatch led the design effort; Hensel Phelps delivered the garage and station structures; and Mass Electric and Modern Rail Systems executed the systems scope, including overhead catenary, traction power, signaling, and communications. The project remains on schedule and within the $1.5 billion budget.

The Downtown Redmond extension will serve the following stations:

• Marymoor Village Station. Located along SR 520 just west of SR 202/Redmond Way, this surface level station provides easy access to the range of activities located at Marymoor Park. The station includes a parking garage with 1,400 new spaces and a connection to King County Metro route 269.
• Downtown Redmond Station. This is the final stop on the 2 Line. The elevated station straddles 166th Avenue Northeast in downtown Redmond close to parks, housing and retail. It provides easy access to the Sammamish Slough walking and biking trail, and connections to King County Metro route 250, RapidRide B Line and DART routes 224 and 930.

The 2 Line will run every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week between South Bellevue and Downtown Redmond stations. Passengers will be able to connect with the regional transit network at South Bellevue, Bellevue Downtown, Redmond Technology, Marymoor Village and Downtown Redmond stations.

Bike parking is available at all stations, and several 2 Line stations are accessible from the Eastrail corridor and the regional trail network.

Visit https://www.soundtransit.org/helloredmond for maps and information about how to ride.