Bellevue’s long-awaited cross-lake light rail connection is taking center stage this month on the City of Bellevue’s Lake to Lake news show, which highlights the newly completed 2 Line and its growing impact on how residents move throughout the region.
Now officially open, the 2 Line is being celebrated as a transformative addition to the Eastside, giving Bellevue commuters, visitors, and residents a faster, more reliable way to travel between the Eastside and Seattle without the unpredictability of traffic.
The fully connected line officially opened on Saturday, March 28, 2026, marking the first time light rail service has crossed Lake Washington to directly connect Seattle and the Eastside.
For Bellevue riders, the change is significant.
The 2 Line offers the first dedicated rail connection from Bellevue Downtown Station to Westlake Station in downtown Seattle in approximately 25 to 28 minutes. By comparison, that same trip by car can easily stretch to 45 minutes or more during peak commute hours, particularly along the often-congested I-90 corridor.
For riders looking to navigate the new system, station access, schedules, and what to expect, Downtown Bellevue Network’s complete Bellevue-to-Seattle Light Rail rider’s guide offers a helpful breakdown.
Sound Transit’s East Link expansion, now known as the 2 Line, stretches 14 miles from downtown Seattle to the Overlake area in Redmond, serving 10 stations across Mercer Island, South Bellevue, downtown Bellevue, BelRed, and Overlake.
While portions of the line have been operating in Bellevue and Redmond since early 2024, the newly completed cross-lake segment now allows for uninterrupted travel across Lake Washington for the first time.
The line runs as one continuous route from Redmond Technology Station on the Eastside through Bellevue, across Lake Washington via the I-90 express lanes, through Seattle’s downtown transit tunnel, and north to Lynnwood City Center Station in Snohomish County.
This month’s Lake to Lake feature underscores that shift, spotlighting a project years in the making that could reshape daily commuting, weekend outings, and how residents experience the region.
Also featured in this month’s episode are performances from Bellevue’s Unity Through Diversity celebration and a guided spring tour of the Bellevue Botanical Garden, where garden director James Gagliardi shares seasonal gardening tips.
