Eastside Starter Line Starts Tomorrow

After decades of ideation, deliberation, and planning, the Eastside finally gets modern rapid transit tomorrow, when the East Link 2 Line" opens for service. But tomorrow's opening is really to whet riders' appetites for the full connection to the Central Link spine," which is tentatively slated for late 2025, thanks to construction mishaps on the I-90 bridge.

We'll be at the opening ceremony at Bellevue Downtown Station at 10 am. Wear a hat, and we can be the Hatted Transit Fans. People from The Urbanist and other groups will be there too. When train service starts at 11 am or soon after, we'll take the 550 down to South Bellevue Station, and then ride Link end-to-end from South Bellevue to Redmond Tech.

The 241 and 249 also go from Bellevue TC to South Bellevue Station, if both Link and the 550 are too crowded.

If you're coming from Seattle, the 550 leaves 5th & Union at 8:53am (arrive 9:24), 9:08am (arrive 9:49), and 9:23am (arrive 9:54). On top of regular 550 service, Sound Transit is also providing a shuttle from South Bellevue to Bellevue Transit Center between 8:30 and 11am.

The Seattle Times has a good timeline of East Link history, from 1994 to present.

On Sunday morning (the day after) routes 550, 240, and 249 will bypass stops between NE 2nd Street and SE 16th Street due to the All in for Autism 5K Run/Walk" on Bellevue Way. Metro's Service Advisories page has specific details on each route.

Sights and Sounds from the Preview Ride

Members of the press were invited to preview the full length of the 2 Line yesterday. We rode north from South Bellevue Station, with brief stops at Bellevue Downtown, Spring District, and Redmond Technology stations, before making the return trip southbound. Below is a selection of brief clips of the journey. The full album is available here.

Departing South Bellevue Station with a view of the park-and-ride and Mercer Slough

Platform shot of a Redmond-bound train departing Spring District Station

Crossing I-405 from Wilburton Station into Downtown Bellevue

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