East Link Light Rail construction update

This clip shows you the magnitude of the East Link Light Rail ST-3 project and why it's so expensive. The video ends before the Eastbound 520 exit to Redmond's Overlake Station.

According to the City, "an Eastbound SR 520 Ramp Split, a months-long project will add a new Eastbound 520 exit directly to NE 51 Street in place of the currently combined exit to NE 40 and 51 Streets  It's expected to be complete this week. The City of Redmond’s contractor will work nights beginning Monday, May 6 and the dedicated off-ramp to NE 51 Street is anticipated to open on Thursday, May 9. Construction began in September 2018 and went into a short winter shutdown until dry weather allowed for the final re-channelization.

The Eastbound SR 520 Ramp Split is based on the ramp split concept implemented in 2015 along Westbound SR 520 at NE 51 and 40 Streets. That project has successfully reduced congestion compared to the old combined ramp exit."

For questions and more information contact Jackie Lalor, Communications & Marketing Supervisor, at jlalor@redmond.gov or 425-556-2209. 

Sound Transit Link light rail ridership up 6.9 percent

Sound Transit Link light rail ridership up 6.9 percent in third quarter

Publish Date

November 16, 2018

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More than 6.6 million riders rode Sound Transit’s popular Link light rail trains during the third quarter 2018, an increase of 6.9 percent compared to the same period last year. On an average weekday, more than 81,000 people ride Link, up from 74,900 last year. Overall, more than 12.6 million riders took advantage of Sound Transit trains and buses, a 2.8 percent system-wide increase from third quarter last year. 

“More riders are discovering how Sound Transit trains and buses can make their commutes easier,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “Those numbers will only increase as the light rail system expands to Lynnwood, Bellevue and Federal Way and more people are able to avoid traffic congestion.”

Sound Transit’s growth in ridership is in sharp relief with other regions in the country. According to the most recent data available from the American Public Transportation Association, transit ridership nationally declined nearly two percent in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the same quarter 2017. By contrast, transit in the Pacific Northwest is so popular that Puget Sound voters in 2016 approved a $54 billion measure to expand the existing system with 62 miles of light rail with stations serving 37 additional areas. 

The third quarter ridership report is available on the Sound Transit website.