Everything You Need to Know About the 2 Line Crosslake Connection
The Urbanist • • business
Key Points:
- Sound Transit's 2 Line officially opens today, connecting Seattle and the Eastside with 10-minute light rail service across Lake Washington, creating the region's first true light rail network.
- The 2 Line links with the 1 Line at Chinatown-International District station, enhancing service to busy stations north to Lynnwood and providing direct Eastside access to downtown Seattle destinations.
- Celebrations begin at 9am at Sam Smith Park near Judkins Park station, featuring speeches, the inaugural train ride across the floating bridge, and ongoing festivities at multiple stations with prize giveaways.
- The project, decades in the making, involved converting HOV lanes on the Homer M. Hadley floating bridge for rail use, overcoming significant political opposition, lawsuits, and engineering challenges.
- The new service dramatically improves regional transit, offering faster, congestion-free commutes and expanding access to key areas like Downtown Redmond, Shoreline, and the University of Washington with extended hours until midnight.
