Overlake Transit Center Park-And-Ride to close May 1

Commuters are encouraged to try a new commute before the closure in preparation for East Link light rail construction

As part of construction of the East Link Light Rail extension from Seattle to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond, Sound Transit will close the Overlake Transit Center Park-and-Ride lot on Monday, May 1. Drivers will need to park in other locations, and are encouraged to begin using alternate parking or commute options before the closure begins. Bus and shuttle service will remain open at the site through construction.

A temporary transit loop will be constructed at the south end of the current Overlake Transit Center Park-and-Ride site, and the north end of the site will become an active construction zone. A new 320-stall parking garage will be built on the site, and the location will also serve as the construction hub for building the future Redmond Technology Center light rail station. While construction of the future Redmond Technology Center Station will continue until 2023, Sound Transit and its contractor expect to open the new garage earlier.

The closure could create a significant and inconvenient change for drivers who regularly use the park-and-ride lot. Drivers should visit www.soundtransit.org/eastlink to find newly added park-and-ride spaces in the area and learn about other commute options.

Sound Transit has added new trips and additional service on Eastside bus routes to increase mobility. One-on-one trip planning service is available through King County Metro’s Just One Trip program for anyone who needs help planning their future commute. Visit justonetrip.org/resources to complete a commute inquiry form.

As part of the East Link construction, the South Bellevue Park-and-Ride also will close in the coming months. The closure will be announced in advance through Sound Transit construction alerts. Subscribe to stay informed at www.soundtransit.org/subscribe.

East Link will extend light rail 14 miles from Seattle International District to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond. When the extension is complete, people will be able to travel from the Overlake Transit Center to the Bellevue Transit Center in 10 minutes; and from South Bellevue to Sea-Tac Airport in 50 minutes.