Sound Transit Launches Crosslake Rail: Unifying Seattle’s Lines

Sound Transit launches the Crosslake Connection March 28, unifying light-rail lines. This 7-mile link includes the world’s first floating bridge rail, connecting Seattle’s suburbs.

January 26, 2026 10:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Sound Transit will launch its 7-mile Crosslake Connection on March 28, unifying its 1 and 2 light-rail lines into a single regional system.
The project includes the world’s first application of light-rail technology on a floating bridge, overcoming a significant engineering challenge.
This completes the long-delayed East Link project, expanding the total network to 63 miles and 50 stations and connecting Seattle with its eastern suburbs.

SEATTLE, WA – Sound Transit will launch service on the Crosslake Connection segment of its East Link 2 Line on March 28, completing a direct light-rail link across Lake Washington. The opening unifies the region’s 1 and 2 Lines, creating an integrated system that will span 63 miles and include 50 stations. The 7-mile segment, approved by voters in 2008, connects Seattle’s Chinatown-International District station with Mercer Island and Judkins Park stations on the Eastside.

Category	Specification / Detail
Project Segment	Crosslake Connection (East Link 2 Line)
Service Launch	March 28
Segment Length	7 miles
New Stations	2 (Mercer Island, Judkins Park)
Total System Size	63 miles, 50 stations (post-launch)
Key Stakeholders	Sound Transit, King County, Snohomish County
Unique Feature	World’s first light rail on a floating bridge (I-90)

Operational & Technical Details

The Crosslake Connection is the final component of the East Link 2 Line. It enables trains to run from downtown Redmond to Lynnwood, crossing Lake Washington. This creates a fully integrated system by connecting with the 1 Line at the International District/Chinatown Station. The 2 Line’s service to Lynnwood will operate in addition to the existing 1 Line service between Lynnwood and Federal Way.

The project’s primary technical achievement is the successful engineering of light-rail tracks on a floating bridge. This required specialized design to accommodate the bridge’s movement. The opening follows years of delays; the full East Link Extension was originally slated for a mid-2023 launch. A partial “starter line” on the Eastside, from South Bellevue to Redmond Technology stations, opened in April 2024.

Market Impact Analysis

The completion of the Crosslake Connection is a major operational milestone for Sound Transit, delivering on a key promise from the 2008 voter-approved expansion plan. It strategically connects Seattle’s central business district with major Eastside employment centers, including Bellevue and the Microsoft campus in Redmond. This direct link is expected to significantly alter regional commute patterns, offering a mass transit alternative to vehicle traffic on the congested I-90 corridor. The launch marks the culmination of a rapid expansion phase for the agency, which has opened six new light rail extensions in the past five years, solidifying its role as a primary regional transit provider.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the main value of this project?

It unifies the Seattle area’s two main light-rail lines (1 Line and 2 Line) into a single, integrated regional system, providing the first direct rail connection across Lake Washington between Seattle and its eastern suburbs like Bellevue.

When is the expected completion date?

The new service on the Crosslake Connection is scheduled to launch to the public on March 28.