Sound Transit has confirmed that light rail service across Lake Washington will begin before May 31, marking a major milestone for regional public transit in the Puget Sound.
The new I-90 light rail segment has entered its final phase of testing, with trains now operating at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour across the floating bridge. This connection will link Seattle and the Eastside, offering hundreds of thousands of residents a new, reliable commuting option that does not rely on I-90 traffic congestion. As part of the opening, two new stations, Judkins Park and Mercer Island, will come online.
The completion of the newest connection will be the world’s first light rail system operating on a floating bridge, making it a marvel of engineering.
The announcement follows another recent expansion milestone. On Saturday, December 6, Sound Transit opened the Federal Way Link light rail extension, further expanding the region’s growing rail network. Together, the projects represent a significant step toward a more connected, car-optional transportation system across the central Puget Sound.