3 New Light Rail Stations Open Saturday In North Seattle

SEATTLE — Brand new light rail stations open Saturday morning in three North Seattle neighborhoods, extending Sound Transit's 1 Line to Northgate by way of the University District and Roosevelt. The extension means the University of Washington will now have stops on both ends of campus, adding a station just off NE 45th St. to the one outside Husky Stadium, which opened in 2016.

The new stations add 4.3 miles to the light rail, with trains running underground most of the way before emerging on a final elevated stretch around Northgate. The extension also connects the region with the Seattle Kraken's new training facility at Northgate, boasting a travel time of just 13 minutes to get there from downtown. During peak hours, trains will run every eight minutes and Sound Transit projects daily ridership on the extension will surpass 40,000 by 2022.

"This is a historic day and the start of three years that will transform how people get around our region," said Kent Keel, chair of the Sound Transit Board. "Northgate Link will let thousands of riders get to their destinations on time without sitting in horrendous traffic. We are able to celebrate this milestone thanks to support from the Federal Transit Administration, our congressional delegation and the regional voters who approved building a world-class transit system for our growing communities."

Voters approved the Northgate extension in 2008 with the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure and construction began in 2012. According to Sound Transit, the $1.9 billion project came in at $50 million under budget.

North Seattle's new stations are just a taste of what's to come in the next few years, with the light rail network poised to triple in size from 22 miles to 62 miles by 2024. Next year, Tacoma's T Line expands to the city's Hilltop neighborhood. In 2023, the East Link extension will bring the 2 Line into service, stretching fourteen miles between Seattle and Redmond over 10 new stations, and utilizing the world's first light rail tracks built on a floating bridge to cross Lake Washington via Interstate 90.

In 2024, the Downtown Redmond extension will expand service even further into the Eastside, with new stations near Marymoor Park and in the downtown core.

"The opening of Northgate Link is a great leap forward for Puget Sound commuters, the first of many leaps forward for Sound Transit in the coming years," said Peter Rogoff, Sound Transit's departing CEO. "As Sound Transit looks to nearly triple our light rail network in just the next three years, we are thankful for the hard work and dedication of staff and the construction workforce in achieving this monumental feat in the middle of a pandemic."

For those planning to check out the newest extension, the first southbound train leaves Northgate Station at 4:51 a.m. on Saturday, and Sound Transit has several community celebrations planned throughout the day, including:

• U District Station Opening Festival and $3 Food Walk
  • Date: Oct. 2, 2021
  • Time: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Description: Live music and performances by local bands and cultural groups, outdoor seating, and activities and games for kids and adults alike will greet visitors outside of the station. Thousands of hungry guests can explore the diverse and delicious food offerings in the U District through the inaugural Food Walk with nearly 45 participating businesses, and a beer garden will introduce thirsty 21+ attendees to local breweries.

• Roosevelt Station Opening Celebration:
  • Date: Oct. 2, 2021
  • Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Description: The Roosevelt Neighborhood Association (RNA) is organizing a fun program of music and entertainment at Roosevelt Station. Look for the RNA Stage at 12th Avenue NE and NE 66th Street. Please take COVID-19 precautions and join Roosevelt neighbors to celebrate new light rail service and exciting new community space.

• John Lewis Memorial Bridge (Northgate bike/walk bridge)
  • Date: Oct. 2, 2021
  • Time: 10 a.m. - noon
  • Description: Listen to a series of speakers at the west end of the bridge, followed by a ribbon cutting and community-led walk, roll, and bike ride toward the new station.