Plans continue to ramp up for expanded light rail service across the Eastside and into Seattle, bringing major transit changes that will directly impact Bellevue riders in the weeks ahead.
As of February 14, regional transit agency Sound Transit has begun its final testing phase — known as simulated service — for the upcoming Crosslake Connection. During this period, trains are running the future service schedule along the full 2 Line route, stretching from Downtown Redmond through Bellevue and across Lake Washington into Seattle and north toward Lynnwood.
For Eastside commuters, this means longer service hours on the 2 Line between Downtown Redmond and South Bellevue Station, with trains now operating until midnight. Riders traveling between Seattle and Lynnwood will also see more frequent arrivals, with trains coming every four to five minutes during peak periods.
With service now overlapping between the Link 1 Line and the Link 2 Line, passengers are being asked to pay close attention to train destinations. Southbound 1 Line trains continue through downtown Seattle toward Federal Way, while southbound 2 Line trains currently terminate at International District/Chinatown Station, where all riders must exit before trains continue test runs across the lake.
On the Eastside, all 2 Line riders must still exit at South Bellevue Station while testing continues toward Mercer Island and Seattle.
The expanded service is preparing the system for the official opening of the Crosslake Connection on March 28, which will create the first direct light rail link between Seattle and the Eastside across Lake Washington. The new segment will add approximately 7.4 miles of track and introduce stations at Mercer Island and Judkins Park Station.
Once open, travel time between South Bellevue Station and International District/Chinatown Station is expected to be about 13 minutes, providing a faster, congestion-free option for commuters heading into Seattle.
For Bellevue residents, the fully operational 2 Line will continue serving key destinations including downtown Bellevue, the Spring District, the Microsoft campus, Marymoor Park, and Downtown Redmond, strengthening regional access to jobs, entertainment, and transit connections.
The first segment of the 2 Line opened in April 2024 between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station, with additional stations opening in downtown Redmond in May 2025. Sound Transit has spent months testing trains across the I-90 bridge to prepare operators and systems for full service.
When complete, the Crosslake Connection will integrate the 1 Line and 2 Line into a continuous regional route and expand the light rail network to more than 63 miles.
Sound Transit plans to mark the March 28 opening with public celebrations, including ribbon cuttings, station events, and community activities throughout the day.
