Construction now substantially complete on all three Northgate Link stations

Construction on all three stations of Sound Transit's Northgate Link Extension is now substantially complete, a major milestone in progress toward the start of revenue service later this year. The elevated station at Northgate was the last to see construction substantially completed. Construction at the UDistrict station was substantially completed last summer, and construction of the Roosevelt Station was substantially completed earlier last year.

"This achievement is remarkable given the construction challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. "Thanks to the commitment and professionalism of our construction team, our contractors, and their skilled and dedicated workforce, we remain on budget and on schedule to open this extension in September."

"The completion of station construction is an exciting milestone for the Northgate extension," said King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Vice Chair Dow Constantine. "It's another reminder that we are getting closer to the start of traffic-free commutes for thousands more workers and students, and the beginning of a three-year flurry of projects to nearly triple our light rail system."

"Our city of the future will have fewer cars, more transit, and less carbon pollution," said Seattle Mayor and Sound Transit Board Member Jenny Durkan. "The completion of the Northgate Link Extension will make public transit more convenient and accessible to those who visit, work, or live in and around Seattle. Our partners in King County, Sound Transit, and the construction team completed these stations in the midst of a pandemic, and I know we are all looking forward to riding this newest light rail extension together this fall." 

"The Northgate extension will not only get folks downtown quickly," said Seattle City Council Member and Sound Transit Board Member Debora Juarez. "It will also provide access to our reenergized Northgate area with the Kraken headquarters and three ice rinks, and give thousands of students reliable transit to attend class at North Seattle College."

Light rail test trains began operating on the new elevated light rail tracks last month to test the overhead electrical power system throughout the Northgate line. Testing will continue for several months, mostly during morning hours. 

Photos of the stations, including photos of test trains, are available here. 

Work on the project is now focused on completing systems work, which includes electrical and communications systems. 

When finished, the 4.3 mile regional light rail extension will offer riders reliable, traffic-free travel between Northgate and downtown Seattle in just 14 minutes. Trains traveling in 3.5-mile twin tunnels north to and from the University of Washington Station at Husky Stadium will stop at underground stations in the U District and Roosevelt neighborhoods, exit the tunnels at First Avenue Northeast and Northeast 95th and transition to a 0.8-mile elevated guideway to reach the station.

Sound Transit is simultaneously working to extend light rail north, south, east and west. Northgate Link will be followed in 2023 by the opening of service to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond's Overlake community. Additional extensions to Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, Kent/Des Moines, Federal Way and downtown Redmond are planned in 2024.