The Bellevue Police Department announced that its Bellevue Light Rail Unit (BLU) is prepared for the March 28 opening of the Crosslake Connection, a major expansion of regional transit that will connect Seattle and the Eastside by rail.
The BLU Unit was established to support a safe and positive rider experience along the Link 2 Line. According to Police Chief Wendell Shirley, the city has been preparing for the expansion since the unit’s creation.
“The City of Bellevue has prepared for this moment since launching the BLU Unit two years ago,” Shirley said in a statement. “Bellevue Police has worked with our Sound Transit and King County Metro partners and identified how we can deliver a positive riding experience for everyone.”
The BLU Unit began operations in April 2024 after receiving approval and permanent funding from the Bellevue City Council in November 2022. Officers will maintain a visible presence along the 2 Line, particularly during peak commute hours and large-scale events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The unit will also coordinate with Sound Transit and King County Metro when responding to rider service calls.
The Crosslake Connection will create the first direct light rail link between Seattle and the Eastside across Lake Washington. The project adds approximately 7.4 miles of track and includes new stops at Mercer Island Station and Judkins Park Station.
Once the line opens, travel time between South Bellevue Station and International District/Chinatown Station is expected to be about 13 minutes, offering a faster, congestion-free option for commuters traveling into Seattle.
For Bellevue residents, the fully operational 2 Line will continue to serve key destinations including downtown Bellevue, the Spring District, the Microsoft campus, Marymoor Park, and Downtown Redmond, improving access to jobs, recreation, and transit connections across the region.
A series of public events will mark the opening on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At Bellevue Downtown Station, the Bellevue Downtown Association will host live music, food trucks, and community organization booths.
Additional celebrations are planned at other stations. South Bellevue will feature live entertainment, food vendors, community booths, and children’s activities, including a fire truck display. In the Spring District, Wright Runstad will host a “2 to the Zoo!” event with a petting zoo, food trucks, vendor booths, and offerings from Meta’s Market Hall.
