METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Sound Transit completes 70% of Northgate Link light rail construction

The 4.3-mile regional light rail extension will offer riders traffic-free travel between Northgate and downtown Seattle in 14 minutes.

January 18, 2019
Sound Transit completes 70% of Northgate Link light rail construction

Construction at Roosevelt Station is about 70 percent complete. Crews are focused on finishing the station entrances, or headhouses, seen here on the left.

Sound Transit

2 min to read


Construction at Roosevelt Station is about 70 percent complete. Crews are focused on finishing the station entrances, or headhouses, seen here on the left.

Sound Transit

Sound Transit's Northgate Link Extension reached 70% completion, as project construction moves ahead to start service in 2021. The project is a major component of Sound Transit's regional commitment to complete 116 new miles of voter-approved light rail, the largest rail service expansion in the country.

Progress on Northgate Link construction includes track installation, which is nearing 50% completion. In addition, construction at each of the three stations on the extension has reached a significant milestone. The Northgate Station is approximately 70% complete, and the Roosevelt Station is nearing 70% completion. The University District Station is approximately 50% complete.

Ad Loading...

When finished, the 4.3-mile regional light rail extension will offer riders traffic-free travel between Northgate and downtown Seattle in 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, opening new stations every few years to form a 116-mile regional system by 2041. 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. Further light rail extensions are scheduled to reach West Seattle, Fife and Tacoma in 2030; Ballard in 2035; Paine Field and Everett in 2036; and South Kirkland and Issaquah in 2041.

The agency is also working on further investments including but not limited to expansions of Sounder South service and bus rapid transit service in 2024 along the north, east and south sides of Lake Washington.

More Rail

FRA Invests $2.3B in Rail Projects Nationwide
Rail•by Alex Roman•October 28, 2026

FRA Announces $2.3B for Passenger, Freight Rail Projects Nationwide

The CRISI Grant Program funding will support rail infrastructure improvements, safety upgrades, and projects aimed at improving freight and passenger rail service across 45 states and Washington, D.C.

Read More →
A Caltrain electric railcar on the tracks
Rail•by Alex Roman•October 27, 2026

Caltrain’s Electrification Drives a New Era of Ridership Growth

The railroad’s shift to electric service has brought more frequent trains, stronger customer satisfaction, and increased ridership, earning it APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System award.

Read More →
METRO Magazine graphic featuring a dark blue background with abstract curved lines and the headline “FTA Advances $164M Broward County Commuter Rail Project.”
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•October 26, 2026

FTA Advances $164M Broward County Commuter Rail Project

The proposed 10.5-mile commuter rail extension would connect Fort Lauderdale and Aventura, expanding passenger rail options in South Florida.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An A line MTA subway car near the soon to be replaced signaling system.
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•October 23, 2026

New York MTA Launches Historic $1.9B Signal, Track Modernization Project

Funded in part by congestion pricing revenue, the project will replace nearly century-old signals along the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.

Read More →
The LA Metro San Fernando Valley light rail extension corridor
Rail•by Alex Roman•October 20, 2026

LA Metro Breaks Ground on East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project

The 6.7-mile line will add 11 stations along Van Nuys Boulevard, expand access to jobs and regional transit connections, and support Metro’s broader efforts to improve mobility as rail ridership grows.

Read More →
New Standard Helps Transit Agencies Address Climate Risks
Security and Safety•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

CSA Group Releases Climate Resilience Standard for Transit, Passenger Rail

Developed with support from the Standards Council of Canada, CSA D700 guides assessing climate-related risks and planning adaptation measures for transit and passenger rail systems.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Crowd waiting for LA Metro bus
Management•by Staff and News Reports•October 16, 2026

LA Metro September Ridership Climbs 3.9%, Led by Rail Growth

The agency recorded more than 27.2 million boardings, with rail ridership increasing 12.4% year over year and the D Line posting the largest gains.

Read More →
METRO Magazine graphic featuring an aerial view of MetroLink extension construction, with the headline “MetroLink Expansion Completed With $192M Airport Project.”
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•October 14, 2026

First Full MetroLink Rail Expansion Completed in 20 Years with $192M Airport Project

The project links two St. Louis-area airports by light rail while adding roadway and bike trail connections to improve regional access and mobility.

Read More →
Taking the Guesswork Out of Fleet Replacement
Management•by Alex Roman•October 14, 2026

Utilimarc Launches SmartReplace to Optimize Fleet Replacement Decisions

AI-powered SmartReplace helps fleets prioritize vehicle replacements, model budget scenarios, and build more defensible long-term strategies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An overhead view of APTA EXPO's show floor.
Management•by Alex Roman•October 9, 2026

Scenes from APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026

Transit leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals gathered in Chicago to explore new technologies, share ideas, and discuss the future of public transportation.

Read More →