Sound Transit 1 Line Returns to Service

Sound Transit announced that the 1 Line returned to normal operations on Feb. 5 as platform work in the downtown tunnel wraps up on schedule.

Crews began working on Jan. 13 on several projects to improve service for riders.

During this period, trains ran on a single track approximately every 26-30 minutes between UW and Stadium stations on weekdays, while shuttle buses between Capitol Hill and SODO stations replaced light rail service on weekends. 

“I want to thank all of our passengers for their patience during this extended maintenance interruption,” said Sound Transit Deputy CEO Russ Arnold. “We know that this hasn’t been easy for them, but the end result is a smoother ride and a more reliable system.”

What Sound Transit Worked on During Service Interruption

During the service interruption, work crews replaced 500 feet of northbound track between University Street and Westlake at the sharpest curve in the entire Link system. These rails were worn and made for a bumpy ride for passengers for years. Without replacement, the worn rails would eventually have become a safety hazard, according to the agency.

Crews also replaced 58 “bond boxes,” which provide signal connections to the tracks. These bond boxes were progressively damaged by buses between 2009 and 2019, leading to occasional signal failures and train delays. 

In addition to the two major projects, the agency took advantage of the service disruption to do five other projects as well, including repairing some sections of southbound rail and cleaning artwork. Scheduling these projects during this period meant that the work could be completed sooner than originally planned.