Link Projects Mean Delays For Light Rail Riders, Starting In July

SEATTLE — Link light rail riders should expect intermittent delays starting in July and lasting into the first few months of next year, as Sound Transit moves ahead with several "Future Ready" projects before the 2 Line goes into service.

Transit officials unveiled a timeline of five upcoming projects Tuesday, all slated for completion before service extends to the Eastside, south to Federal Way, and north to Lynwood, adding a combined 33 miles of track over the next three years.

"We need to ensure that our system is ready for the major expansions ahead," said Brooke Belman, Sound Transit's interim CEO. "While the disruptions that this work will cause are unavoidable, we will work hard to minimize the impact on service to riders. The end result will be a safe and improved system ready for our next phase of growth."

Sound Transit shared specific dates for the first two upcoming interruptions, which begin with light rail service being reduced to every 20 minutes in both directions for tile replacement work at Columbia City station. Similar delays will return in October due to work in the downtown transit tunnel.

Specific dates on work scheduled later this year and in early 2023 are still pending.

Here's the timeline from Sound Transit:

• July 11 - July 24 & Aug. 22 - Sept. 4: In order to replace tile at the Columbia City Station, train frequencies will be reduced to 20 minutes in each direction during all operating hours during the closure of one track, requiring all trains to use a single track between Mount Baker and Tukwila.
• Oct. 21 - Oct. 23 & Nov. 11 - Nov. 13: As a result of work on the overhead catenary system in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT), train frequencies will be reduced to 20 minutes in each direction until 11 p.m. From 11 p.m. until end of revenue service, a Link bus shuttle will be available to connect passengers between Capitol Hill Station and SODO Station.
• Q3 2022: In order to repair and replace the overhead catenary system, Link will be shut down between Rainier Beach and Tukwila International Blvd. stations with a Link bus shuttle connecting passengers between these two stations.
• Q4 2022: Trains will be single tracked through the DSTT and train frequencies will be reduced to 20 minutes.
• Q1 2023: This work is needed to complete connections between the current 1-Line service and new 2-Line tracks that will link riders to the Eastside. Impacts are still to be determined.

Residents who rely on the light rail to get around the region can sign up for rider alerts and learn more about the upcoming delays online.