New light rail stations at Judkins Park, Mercer Island: What to expect

Key Points:

• Sound Transit’s new 2 Line crossing of Lake Washington introduces Judkins Park and Mercer Island light rail stations, enhancing connectivity between Seattle’s east and west sides and providing access to nearly 30 other stations.
• Judkins Park Station, situated between the Central District and Rainier Valley, offers connections to regional bike trails, multiple bus routes, and nearby cultural landmarks like the Northwest African American Museum and Jimi Hendrix Park.
• Mercer Island Station serves the island’s 25,000 residents with ground-level access near downtown, featuring public art celebrating local history and convenient transit options including express buses to Bellevue College and Issaquah.
• Both stations integrate with regional bike routes and bus lines, though Mercer Island’s park-and-ride is already near capacity, suggesting commuters from surrounding areas may prefer parking at South Bellevue Station.
• The 2 Line trains connect through International District/Chinatown Station, where passengers can transfer to the 1 Line for travel to Rainier Valley, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and other southern destinations.