As we get ready for the opening of the Lynnwood extension on August 30, we have some work to do. Some of that work is on the existing 1 Line, which means that riders will be experiencing a six week stretch of service disruptions starting next week.
Doing this work now helps us get ready for the Lynnwood opening. It also means inconveniencing fewer riders, since we’re expecting thousands more passengers once service to Lynnwood opens.
Not everyone is going to be affected by the work; some of it is happening late evenings or at just a few stations. But it’s important to be aware of what’s coming up so that you can be ready and plan in case it does impact your travel plans.
The longest period of work is happening between SeaTac/Airport and Angle Lake stations, starting May 12 through June 22. During that time, crews will be doing work to connect the Federal Way Link Extension into the existing 1 Line; it will also allow us to store additional light rail vehicles just south of Angle Lake Station.
The additional cars are important for adding capacity for the Lynnwood extension. This was part of the creative solution that we developed to fill the gap until the 2 Line fully opens and we have access to the Operations and Maintenance Facility in Bellevue.
During the work period, a separate train will run between SeaTac/Airport and Angle Lake stations every 16-20 minutes. Passengers continuing to Angle Lake Station will need to get off at SeaTac/Airport Station and get on this train. Similarly, passengers traveling from Angle Lake Station past SeaTac/Airport Station will need to deboard and catch a northbound train at SeaTac Station. Passengers traveling to and from Angle Lake may consider transferring to the A Line at Tukwila International Blvd. Station for a quicker transfer experience during this time.
There will be no Link service between the two stations on May 12 from the start of service until noon, as well as all day June 1, June 2 until 10 a.m. and all day June 22. On those days, passengers will need to board (at no charge) the Rapid Ride A Line, one block from Angle Lake on International Boulevard, to continue their journey.
While other work won’t last as long, more riders are likely to feel the impact. On June 1 and 2, crews will be doing platform repair work at the Columbia City Station. Trains will be single tracking as one platform in each direction will be closed on each day.
During this time, trains will run every 10 minutes between Northgate and Stadium stations and every 20 minutes between Stadium and SeaTac/Airport stations. Southbound trains originating at Northgate will alternate between terminating at Stadium and continuing on to SeaTac/Airport. Passengers heading beyond Stadium Station should read the head signs on the train to avoid having to transfer. Passengers on northbound trains will not need to transfer.
Starting at 10 p.m. on June 21, downtown Seattle stations will be closed through June 23 to allow crews to do tie-in work for the Eastlink extension. Trains will run every 15 minutes between Northgate and Capitol Hill stations and between SODO and SeaTac/Airport stations. (On June 23, service will have been restored to Angle Lake station, so trains will run all the way from SODO to Angle Lake.) Bus shuttles will be running between Capitol Hill and SODO stations every 10 to 15 minutes.
We have some other projects going on during this time as well. Every Tuesday night between May 14 and June 25, trains will run every 20 minutes starting at 11 p.m. to allow for rail replacement work.
We’ll be keeping you posted on the progress of these projects and alerting you to them as we get closer to the actual work date. In the meantime, we want to acknowledge that we know that the service disruptions are irritating and make your ride temporarily more difficult. We apologize for that.
But the work is necessary, both for safety and to help our system expand. We will do everything we can to help you through the disruptions so that we can get back to regular service and enjoy the summer.