Light rail service between Capitol Hill and Stadium stations in Seattle will be temporarily suspended overnight from Saturday 11 p.m. to Sunday 10 a.m. for signaling upgrades, with buses replacing trains and additional travel time expected.
The newly opened Redmond Link light rail segment experienced temporary closures due to heat-related issues with overhead wires, causing service disruptions and a bus bridge replacement. Repairs are underway, with expectations of partial reopening soon, as the agency investigates the heat's impact on the infrastructure and prepares for future hot weather conditions.
The Sound Transit Board of Directors rejected a proposal from Amazon and Vulcan Real Estate to shift the future South Lake Union station, citing increased costs and delays. Despite concerns that Mayor Bruce Harrell might side with Amazon, he ultimately supported the staff's recommendation to maintain the current plan, prioritizing transit riders and cost efficiency. Transit advocates continue to push for better-connected stations, particularly in the Chinatown-International District.
The Sound Transit Board rejected alternative station proposals for the Ballard Link light rail line in South Lake Union, despite lobbying from the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and major stakeholders like Amazon. The board cited significant delays and additional costs as reasons for sticking with the existing plan, which aims to minimize construction impacts on Westlake Avenue. The project, part of the 2016 Sound Transit 3 vote, is already four years behind schedule with a revised opening date of 2039.
Sound Transit announced that the Link 1 Line will extend to Lynnwood on August 30, adding four new stations and increasing train frequency during peak hours. Bus service upgrades originally planned for August 31 will now take place on September 14 to ensure a smooth transition. The extension is seen as a major milestone in the growth of light rail, connecting two counties and providing increased transit options for riders. The project budget includes federal funding and a low-interest loan, and the extension will serve stations with multiple transit connections.
The new 2 Line Eastside Link light rail is set to open on April 27, connecting east King County to Seattle with eight stops between South Bellevue and Redmond. Sound Transit aims to improve mobility and access for residents, with trains running every 10 minutes during operating hours. The project, costing approximately $3.7 billion, will eventually expand to include stations at Judkins Park and Mercer Island in 2025. Security measures are in place, and parking will be available at select stations.
Sound Transit announced the opening of the initial segment of the Link 2 Line, a 6.5-mile extension with eight new stations in Bellevue and Redmond, on April 27. The two-car trains will run every 10 minutes, 16 hours a day, connecting major employers, neighborhoods, and destinations. The full 2 Line is expected to open in 2025, with the I-90 segment delayed due to quality issues. Opening day celebrations will include a ribbon cutting ceremony and various activities at all eight stations.
Sound Transit closed the Chinatown International District Station for a protest, with shuttle buses replacing the 1 Line between Pioneer Square Station and Stadium Station during the closure. The station reopened around 6:40 p.m. Some protesters were seen carrying Palestinian flags.
Seattle's U-District Link light rail station was closed due to a planned pro-Palestine protest targeting a transportation disruption, with protestors denouncing the links between Sound Transit and multinational conglomerate Siemens for their involvement in Israeli occupation. Sound Transit established a bus bridge between Roosevelt and UW stations, and the protest comes after a previous disruption on Interstate 5. Washington State Patrol is still investigating the previous protest, and critics argue that the organizers had no right to trap innocent drivers.
Sound Transit's light rail service in Seattle faces extended delays due to repair work, extreme cold claims five lives, King County Library System ranks third in digital checkouts, Japan aims to land on the moon, Trump files a brief with the Supreme Court to be on the ballot, a Boeing cargo plane makes an emergency landing after spewing flames mid-flight, and Pope Francis acknowledges sexual pleasure as a gift from God but emphasizes the need for discipline.
Sound Transit's Link light rail will implement a new flat fare structure of $3.00 per trip for adults starting in fall 2024, coinciding with the opening of the Lynnwood Link Extension. The new fare will not affect low-income adult or senior/disabled fares. The change aims to simplify pricing, potentially introduce fare capping in the future, and address equity concerns. With the flat fare, passengers will no longer need to tap off at the end of their trip.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Urbanist
Sound Transit will resume normal service on its Link light rail system on Saturday, following the completion of maintenance work at the Othello and Rainier Beach station platforms. Frequencies will nearly double, with trains running every 10 minutes during midday and weekends. The reduced schedule, in place since August 12, caused frustrations for passengers due to long waits and lack of real-time arrival information. Sound Transit's launch of a real-time arrival system has been delayed until next month. The tile work was necessary for passenger safety, as the existing tiles were cracked or broken. Sound Transit plans to improve its operations for future service disruptions.
Sound Transit will be running additional service on Link light rail and Sounder game trains during All-Star week, with service on Link, Sounder, and ST Express buses being fare-free on July 10 and 11. Passengers can find all the necessary information on soundtransit.org/allstar, including transit maps, travel links, safety information, and a trip planner. Extra security personnel and staff will be available at stations, and tips for a better riding experience have been provided. Link light rail will have increased frequency during peak times, and special event trains will be running on Sounder.
A construction mishap above Westlake Station has caused significant damage to the station tunnel roof, leading to the closure of the northbound tracks and platform. Sound Transit has imposed service changes, with only a shuttle train service operating through the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) at 30-minute frequencies between Capitol Hill and Stadium Stations. The service disruption is expected to last at least two weeks, and riders are advised to consider alternative transit services. The incident could lead to an increase in bus trips, but King County Metro has been cancelling hundreds of regular bus trips each weekday due to severe staff shortages.