Bringing new transit options to life takes a team of dedicated experts! Get an inside look at the professionals who made the 2 Line extension to Downtown Redmond possible; and get ready to ride when it opens on May 10.
Executive Project Director Tony Raben:
Raben has been with Sound Transit for 23 years (plus four years as a consultant). He has worked on several key projects, including the initial segment of the 1 Line and the extensions to University of Washington and Northgate, as well as East Link and the Downtown Redmond Link Extension.
I’ve been involved in every phase of project delivery — from planning and environmental review to conceptual, preliminary, and final design, as well as construction and handover to operations.
What was your favorite part about working on the Downtown Redmond Link Extension?
The people. We have an exceptional team, including our design-builder, the authorities having jurisdiction, construction and design management consultants, King County Metro, and staff. It's been a pleasure to be part of this extraordinary team. Beyond talent, experience, and chemistry, the team genuinely cared about outcomes, which is the most important factor.
What was the biggest challenge?
The most critical challenge was to develop and maintain a 'project-first' mindset and strong team cohesion. We faced several significant hurdles—Covid-19 disruptions, a concrete strike, new potential fish habitat, and even a surprise Guinness World Record-sensitive vibration receptor. Any one of these could have caused major setbacks and a break in the collaborative approach, but they didn’t. The team came together, found solutions, and kept the project moving forward. We embraced a 'project-first' approach from the very beginning. This meant seeking solutions that minimized impacts and maximized benefits. Instead of capitalizing on challenges, every party contributed to solutions, reinforcing our commitment to teamwork and progress.
What are you looking forward to on opening day?
Seeing the excitement of the community as they experience the new service. Opening day will be the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance from the entire team. I’m incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to this achievement. It’s going to be a great day!
Deputy Executive Project Director Eza Agoes:
Agoes has worked at Sound Transit for over nine years. Besides the Downtown Redmond Link Extension, she has contributed to the East Link Extension and the Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) East projects.
What was your favorite part about working on the Downtown Redmond Link Extension?
I enjoy my daily commute to the Redmond construction office, whether using the freeways or back roads, and look forward to collaborating with my team in person at the site. I feel empowered as both a team member and leader, supporting and guiding our efforts every day. Our days are filled with memories of sharing a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
What was the biggest challenge?
One of the biggest challenges we overcame was progressing the design-build project during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Teamsters Strike. Despite these obstacles, our team remained resilient and committed, finding innovative solutions to keep the project on track.
What are you looking forward to on opening day?
I am excited to see the public using the light rail and anticipate them benefiting from this additional public transportation option to support their commute to work and daily life needs. Hearing positive feedback from the community about how the new extension will improve their daily lives is incredibly rewarding!
Senior Community Engagement Specialist Charlie Hockett:
Hockett has been with Sound Transit since late 2019, working on the East Link Extension (Judkins Park, Mercer Island, and South Bellevue Stations) as well as the Downtown Redmond Link Extension.
It's been a lot of fun being a part of bringing light rail to the Eastside.
What was your favorite part about working on the Downtown Redmond Link Extension?
There have been a lot of rewarding moments in my three-plus years on the project, but I always love hearing from community members and how they plan to use the system once it opens. So much of my day-to-day work involves focusing on really specific aspects of our work but hearing the excitement from community members has been a great reminder to "zoom out" and a real source of inspiration during my time on the project. I've also really enjoyed getting to meet and work with so many passionate people in the Redmond community. I've grown to really appreciate Redmond as a place and have realized that so much of what makes Redmond a special place is the people.
What was the biggest challenge?
Any project of this size comes with a lot of moving parts and multiple teams that need to be kept informed. The challenge for my work in community engagement is often making sure I'm staying ahead of the project so that the surrounding community knows what to expect. While there have been challenging moments, it has really been a team effort to bring this project to life. When I think of all of the collaboration and teamwork between the project and the Redmond community that got us to this point, I am all the more excited for opening day and the chance to celebrate together.
What are you looking forward to on opening day?
I'm really excited to bring my family out, ride the extension, and soak up the excitement from everyone who has been watching the project progress over the past few years. I've had the privilege to see this project go from designs on a plan sheet to a real-life light rail extension and it has been a lot of fun turning our attention towards welcoming everyone aboard. It is a professional milestone to be a part of a project from early construction to opening, but more than anything I'm excited to see how this opening connects more people to more places and serves as a catalyst for an even more vibrant Redmond community.
Deputy Executive Project Director Supriya Kelkar:
This fall, Kelkar will complete 11 years working at Sound Transit. She has been embedded on the Eastside, being part of the East Link, Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) East and Downtown Redmond teams.
What was your favorite part about working on the Downtown Redmond Link Extension?
We have a really good team of people on this project – Sound Transit, Design Build Project Management, Stacy and Witbeck/Kuney, and our third parties all worked collaboratively as an integrated team, and I enjoyed being part of it.
What was the biggest challenge?
Early on the project we had to navigate through the difficulties of working during a pandemic. But the project team pulled together and continued the design work in a remote/hybrid environment. Although challenging, we were able to maintain schedule and deliver a quality project.
What are you looking forward to on opening day?
I am excited about riding the train from Downtown Redmond to South Bellevue and seeing how our passengers experience the completed stations and garages that I have been working on for the past seven years.
More photos of the project team, courtesy of Eza Agoes:
