The At-Grade Crossings Program includes all operating and future planned Link lines and Sound Transit-owned Sounder crossings. The program was created to enhance safety near at-grade crossings with a focus on reducing unintentional acts around these crossings. At-grade crossings are designated crossings where a road or path crosses the railway on the same level. We establish processes that follow industry standards and best practices with a goal of continuous safety improvement.
View the latest program update
Active projects
| Project type | Safety focus area | Project name | Project location | Status | ||
| Train | Pedestrian | Vehicle | ||||
| Train enhancements | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Alternating headlights on trains | System-wide | Design |
| ✔ | Increase volume of train bells pilot | System-wide | Piloting | |||
| Signage enhancements | ✔ | LED flashing another train, coming signs at all intersections between stations | System-wide | Design | ||
| Pavement markings | ✔ | ✔ | Pavement markings to enhance trackway visibility pilot | Rainier Valley | Design | |
| Technology | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | SMART Grant phase 1 - Rainier Valley Safe project pilot | System-wide | Design |
| Infrastructure projects | ✔ | Pedestrian gates/arms at station locations pilot | Rainier Valley | Design | ||
| ✔ | ✔ | Link alignment corridor update | SODO, Rainier Valley | Design | ||
Completed projects
| Project type | Safety focus area | Project name | Project location | Completion date | ||
| Train | Pedestrian | Vehicle | ||||
| Signage enhancements | ✔ | LED flashing no left turn signs | Rainier Valley, SODO | March 2022 | ||
| ✔ | LED flashing another train coming signs at station intersections | Rainier Valley, SODO | September 2023 | |||
| ✔ | ✔ | Other signage updates | Rainier Valley | January 2024 | ||
| Pavement markings | ✔ | R X R pavement markings in left turn pockets | Rainier Valley | June 2021 | ||
| ✔ | "LOOK" pavement markings | Rainier Valley | September 2023 | |||
| ✔ | ✔ | Corridor pavement marking refresh | Rainier Valley | September 2023 | ||
| Traffic signal enhancements | ✔ | Leading pedestrian intervals | Rainier Valley | August 2023 | ||
| ✔ | Retroreflective tape added to signal heads | Rainier Valley | May 2024 | |||
| ✔ | ✔ | Signal reprioritization pilot | Rainier Valley | June 2024 | ||
Engage with the program
Interested in learning more?
The at-grade crossing team can present at your organization or business and listen to your thoughts about safety near light rail.
At-grade crossing photos
A passenger waits to cross the street while a 1 Line train passes in front of them.
Two 1 Line trains are stopped at Othello Station to board passengers.
A passenger taps their ORCA card on the way to board a 1 Line train at Columbia City Station.
A light-up warning sign alerts passengers when a second train is coming. This "Another Train Coming" sign is a part of the safety enhancements the At-Grade Crossing Program has added near light rail.
A passenger standing next to a look both ways sign waits for a train to pass at SODO Station.
