Sound Transit has officially opened the Downtown Redmond Link extension, marking a significant milestone in its light rail expansion. This 3.4-mile, two-station addition to the Eastside’s 2 Line brings light rail directly into downtown Redmond. The grand opening ceremony commenced at 10:30am, with trains beginning service around noon. Celebrations continued throughout the afternoon as community groups gathered outside the Downtown Redmond Station.
The new stations differ significantly in design. Marymoor Village features a large 1,400-car parking garage, while the elevated Downtown Redmond station integrates seamlessly into the urban environment. Passengers stepping off trains will find themselves within walking distance of shops and restaurants, with regional transit connections nearby and direct access to the area’s trail network.
Service on the expanded 2 Line mirrors previous operations, with two-car trains running every ten minutes from 5:30am to 9:30pm daily. Once the full 2 Line extends across Lake Washington to Lynnwood in early 2026, Sound Transit plans to increase service frequency and train lengths.
The Downtown Redmond Link represents the first project completed under the 2016 Sound Transit 3 (ST3) ballot measure. Despite some delays, the project remains relatively close to its original timeline. King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci praised the achievement, crediting former Redmond Mayor John Marchione for ensuring ST3 stayed on track.
Sound Transit anticipates the Downtown Redmond extension will boost the 2 Line’s daily ridership to between 43,000 and 52,000 by 2026. The project’s success is attributed to strategic planning and collaboration among local governments and stakeholders.
— new from The Urbanist
