Link light rail will be suspended between U District and Capitol Hill stations for essential repairs as we work to replace damaged equipment and restore train speeds around the University of Washington Station. This service interruption is necessary to improve system reliability and because repairs of the high-voltage electrical components involved cannot be performed without a complete shutdown of the impacted area.
As regular riders through University of Washington already know, Link trains have been traveling slowly through the station and interlocking since September, when a train with a broken pantograph damaged the Overhead Contact System (OCS). Crews were able to make emergency repairs, and to prevent further disruptions trains have been speed restricted entering and exiting the station until full repairs could be performed.
What we are doing
During the service suspension crews will be replacing the overhead contact wire that provides power to the train at the University of Washington interlocking, and in the bore just north of the northbound platform. When complete, the work will allow for northbound trains to travel at full design speeds, saving commuters several minutes per trip. During the work, buses will replace trains between U District and Capitol Hill stations.
What to expect: Bus shuttle details, additional travel time, etc.
This bus shuttle will operate between U District and Capitol Hill every 10-15 minutes, stopping at University of Washington Station in each direction. Link trains will be operating every 15 minutes between Angle Lake and Capitol Hill stations and every 15 minutes between U District and Lynnwood City Center stations. Passengers traveling north of Capitol Hill will have to get off the train and take the shuttle, reconnecting at U District, and passengers traveling south of U District will do the same in reverse.
Specific details about the stops for the bus bridge are available online. Sound Transit staff will be available at impacted stations to help passengers navigate during the disruption. Passengers should plan for up to 30 minutes of additional travel time.
Progress on ongoing projects
This disruption marks the halfway point in our period of major disruptions. So far, our teams have updated and connected the 2 Line Overhead Contact System and performed critical systems testing on our new integrated overhead power safety systems. We’ve also been hard at work on the 130th Street infill station, continuing our efforts to expand future transit access and improving existing 1 Line reliability during our lower ridership winter months.
A thank you to our riders
We understand that these sustained disruptions are inconvenient to our riders, and the decision to shut down service is not one we take lightly. We really appreciate your patience and understanding as we build a bigger, better, faster, Link light rail system.