Project update: Downtown Redmond Link Extension

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Project update

Drone photo showing the Downtown Redmond Link Extension’s aerial guideway as it heads west towards the Downtown Redmond Station

Drone photo showing the Downtown Redmond Link Extension’s aerial guideway as it heads west towards the Downtown Redmond Station

The Downtown Redmond Link Extension Takes Shape

The Downtown Redmond Link Extension, which will connect Redmond with the larger Puget Sound region, continues to make progress. This year, our project met important construction milestones, made valuable connections in the community and now has official names for the project’s two stations. Please continue reading for more on DRLE’s recent developments.

System Opening Timeline Updates
In August of 2022, Sound Transit staff released new information about opening dates for our light rail expansion projects across the region. Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting effects, a four-month concrete delivery strike and newly identified construction challenges, some projects will be delayed. While more information is needed to identify new opening timelines, the Downtown Redmond Link Extension may be delayed by 4-6 months (from late 2024). The East Link Extension is estimated to be delayed by at least one year (from late 2023).

Learn more about system opening timeline updates here.

Station Naming
Sound Transit’s Board of Directors have chosen the names for the two stations in Downtown Redmond: Marymoor Village Station and Downtown Redmond Station. The selected names were a culmination of collaboration with the community, City of Redmond staff and Sound Transit Staff.

Construction Milestones
The summer and fall of 2022 was an important window for our Downtown Redmond Link Extension to meet key milestones.

Milestones Achieved Include:

  • Completing “Cut and Covers” at three overcrossings on the project: NE 40th Street, NE 51st Street and NE 60th Street. This involved building the base for the future tracks underneath the roadway, then rebuilding the roadway above. Check out this video for an example of the collaboration involved in this work.
  • Opening a new on-ramp and off-ramp between SR 520 and SR 202/Redmond Way. This allows the future 2 Line and the future East Lake Sammamish Trail to travel underneath SR 520 at ground level, as they head towards Downtown Redmond.
  • Instillation of all elevated guideway platforms across the project. Elevated guideways raise the future light rail line above ground level. Most notably, at the West Lake Sammamish Parkway on and offramps, and west of SR 520, as the future 2 Line heads towards Downtown Redmond. (PS- progress in constructing the elevated guideway east of SR 520 has allowed our contractor to reopen a segment of the Bear Creek Trail. Check out this construction alert for more info.)

Crew member performing work on the elevated guideway at the future Downtown Redmond Station

Crew member performing work on the elevated guideway at the future Downtown Redmond Station

Downtown Redmond Link Extension in the Community

Our project has been honored to be a part of several events and programs in the Redmond Community. Over the summer, we have had over 2,500 face-to-face conversations with community members at events like Derby Days, the Redmond Farmers Market and Move Redmond’s Open Street Festival.

We are also proud to partner with iconic local events like CHOMP!, Central Cultural Mexicano’s Cinco De Mayo Celebration and more.

If you have an event or program coming up in 2023 and would like to partner with Sound Transit, please contact Charlie Hockett at Charlie.Hockett@SoundTransit.org.


Community members and Sound Transit Community Engagement staff at Move Redmond’s Walk and Talk event in October 2022.

Community members and Sound Transit Community Engagement staff at Move Redmond’s Walk and Talk event in October 2022.

Stay Up to Date on the Project

Sign up for construction and project alerts at the bottom of our project page.

Join the East Corridor Facebook Group for updates across the Eastside.

Reach out to Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Charlie Hockett at Charlie.Hockett@soundtransit.org or (206) 552-3736


More project info: soundtransit.org/redmondlink
Get in touch: charlie.hockett@soundtransit.org or 206-553-3736