Seattle celebrates the Crosslake Connection on March 28
Seattle and the Eastside are getting ready to celebrate a major milestone for regional transit. On Saturday, March 28, Sound Transit will mark the debut of the Crosslake Connection and the completion of the Link Light Rail 2 Line with a morning ribbon-cutting, the first passenger trip across Lake Washington, and community celebrations at stations on both sides of the lake. Read on for the full opening day schedule!
A new rail link across Lake Washington
Beginning March 28, the Crosslake Connection will create the region’s first continuous light rail route between Seattle and the Eastside. Trains will run across the Lake Washington floating bridge—a world-first design that carries light rail across a floating structure.
The completed 2 Line will connect with the Link Light Rail 1 Line at International District/Chinatown Station and include new stations at Judkins Park Station and Mercer Island Station. Once service begins, trains will run roughly from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and Saturdays and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, arriving every 8 minutes during peak hours and every 10–15 minutes the rest of the day.
Opening day festivities
Opening day kicks off at 9 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting celebration and street fair at Sam Smith Park, just across the street from Judkins Park Station. The event—hosted in partnership with the Northwest African American Museum—will feature live music and performances, food trucks, kids’ activities, and remarks from community leaders. Shuttles will run every 15 minutes from Mount Baker Station and South Bellevue Station between 7 and 10 a.m.
Around 10 a.m., the first passenger train will depart from Judkins Park Station. The public will be invited aboard for a world first: a light rail passenger service across a floating bridge. After that inaugural trip across Lake Washington, the public will be able to ride the 2 Line in both directions between International District/Chinatown, Judkins Park, Mercer Island, and South Bellevue stations.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., each station along the opening segment will host its own celebration. Judkins Park will feature family-friendly programming and community activities organized by the Northwest African American Museum. Mercer Island will host vendors, food trucks, entertainment, and opportunities to explore local businesses. International District/Chinatown will feature live entertainment, children’s activities, and community booths. At South Bellevue, visitors can enjoy live music, food, kids’ activities, and even a touch-a-firetruck experience.
Ride, explore, and win prizes
Opening day riders can also take part in “Discover. Stamp. Win!”—a scavenger-style adventure across the new 2 Line. Riders can pick up a stamp ticket attached to special Crosslake Connection posters and collect stamps at four stations: International District/Chinatown, Judkins Park, Mercer Island, and South Bellevue.
Completed tickets turned in at the Judkins Park Station Welcome Tent by 2 p.m. will be entered to win prizes including:
- Round-trip ticket vouchers from Alaska Airlines
- Trips aboard the Victoria Clipper
- Tickets from the Seattle Symphony
- An autographed Seattle Seahawks jersey
- A Dick’s Drive-In swag box
- An X-box provided by Microsoft
- And other local giveaways
For Seattle transit riders and Eastside neighbors alike, the opening day festivities offer a chance to celebrate a historic connection—and be among the first to ride light rail across Lake Washington. See even more details on the Sound Transit website.