Sound Transit's Crosslake Connection now open

New light rail line connects Seattle to Bellevue and Redmond

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:48am

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Sound Transit's new Crosslake Connection light rail line is now open, marking the completion of the Sound Transit Two expansion approved by voters in 2008. The line connects Seattle directly to Bellevue and Redmond, in addition to recent connections to Lynnwood and Federal Way.

Why it matters

The Crosslake Connection is a major milestone for Seattle's public transit system, providing a direct link between the city and the Eastside. It is the world's first railway built over a floating bridge, representing an impressive engineering achievement.

The details

The Crosslake Connection light rail line runs across Lake Washington, connecting Seattle to Bellevue and Redmond. The project was part of the Sound Transit Two expansion approved by voters in 2008. Engineers had to design the line to accommodate the twisting and moving motion of the floating bridge.

  • The Crosslake Connection opened on March 29, 2026.
  • Sound Transit Two was approved by voters in 2008.

The players

Sound Transit

The regional transit authority responsible for building and operating the Crosslake Connection and other light rail lines in the Seattle metropolitan area.

Michael Abrahams

An engineer who worked on the Crosslake Connection project and flew from New York to attend the grand opening ceremony.

Katie Wilson

The mayor of Seattle, who praised the Crosslake Connection achievement and stressed the need for further light rail expansion.

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What they’re saying

“You can take it to the airport, you can take it to Bellevue, you can take it to a Mariners game and everything in between.”

— Zack Shoemaker, Transit enthusiast

“What I'm so happy about is that so many people have come today, and they enjoy it and appreciate it. That's such a reward.”

— Michael Abrahams, Engineer

“Sound transit has achieved an engineering first and realized a dream going back half a century. We have proven that yes, we can do big things. And we channel the spirit that we need to meet the challenges ahead of us to deliver the full vision of ST 3 that voters were promised.”

— Katie Wilson, Seattle Mayor

What’s next

Sound Transit Three, featuring extensions to Everett, Ballard, West Seattle and Tacoma, was approved by voters in 2016 but has faced delays and a $34 billion budget gap.

The takeaway

The Crosslake Connection represents a major milestone for Seattle's public transit system, showcasing the region's ability to tackle ambitious infrastructure projects. However, the challenges ahead for further light rail expansion underscore the need for continued investment and planning to meet the growing transportation needs of the Seattle metropolitan area.