Where should the next Link light rail station open in Seattle?
This is the question that we posed to our Secret Seattle followers on social media. We were interested in finding out what locals think is the most-needed light rail station. After tallying up the votes, the answer was…
West Seattle needs a new light rail station the most, according to Seattle locals! Unfortunately, we probably won’t see the light rail being extended to West Seattle until 2032. Keep reading to find out which location in Seattle will be getting a new light rail station first!
But first, these were the top four most-suggested locations for a new Link light rail in Seattle:
- West Seattle
- Ballard
- First Hill
- Redmond
Many Seattleites also expressed a strong desire for light rail stations in Kirkland, Edmonds, South Lake Union, Lynnwood, and Everett.
These are the 19 current Seattle Link light rail stations that are all connected on the 1 Line:
- Northgate Station
- Roosevelt Station
- U District Station
- University of Washington Station
- Capitol Hill Station
- Westlake Station
- University Street Station
- Pioneer Square Station
- Intl. District / Chinatown Station
- Stadium Station
- Sodo Station
- Beacon Hill Station
- Mount Baker Station
- Columbia City Station
- Othello Station
- Rainier Beach Station
- Tukwila Intl. Blvd. Station
- SeaTac / Airport Station
- Angle Lake Station
The 1 Line runs straight from north to south, leaving out residents of Seattle neighborhoods such as Ballard and West Seattle as well as those on the Eastside (the suburban area to the east of Lake Washington).
Several expansions have been approved for the Link light rail in coming years. These are the two new Link light rail lines that will connect people in downtown Seattle to the Eastside and West Seattle:
- 2 Line (Mariner–Redmond)
- 3 Line (Everett–West Seattle)
The 2 Line, also known as the East Link Extension, will ultimately comprise of 12 stations in Downtown Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, and Redmond. The first section is planned to open in 2024 and will connect Bellevue and Redmond. The second section planned for 2025 is an extension that will connect downtown Seattle to the line.
The future 3 Line will connect Everett and Snohomish County to Downtown Seattle and West Seattle. The three stations that will be part of the West Seattle Link Extension are due to open in 2032, with the rest of this line opening between 2037 and 2041.
There will also eventually be a 4 Line, which will only serve the Eastside (including Kirkland, Bellevue, and Issaquah) and is scheduled for 2041 or 2044.
Finally, we didn’t forget about Ballard! Residents of this neighborhood are also clamoring for a light rail station. A Ballard Link extension is also planned and is scheduled to begin service in 2039.
If you’d like to learn more about the planned expansions for the Seattle Link light rail, you can explore Sound Transit’s interactive map.
Let us know if you agree or disagree about West Seattle deserving to be next in line for a new light rail station!