In order to perform essential testing to prepare for full 2 Line operations, Link light rail will be temporarily suspended between Capitol Hill and SODO stations from 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 through the end of service Sunday, Jan. 19. Normal operations are scheduled to resume at the start of service Monday, January 20.
During this time, crews will be performing the first integrated tests of the combined 1 and 2 Line safety communications equipment. These tests include preparing for and simulating over 100 different emergency scenarios and represent another step forward towards the full 2 Line opening. To perform the tests, power to the test area must be suspended. Sound Transit will provide Link Shuttle buses to transport passengers. The buses will run approximately every 10-15 minutes and stop at all stations between Capitol Hill and SODO. Additional information about the bus bridge is available at
Passengers travelling southbound from Capitol Hill station will have to get off the train and take the shuttle, reconnecting at SODO station if they are continuing to travel south. The same will be true for passengers heading north through SODO station, who will exit at SODO and reconnect at Capitol Hill for the remainder of their journey. Link trains will be operating every 15 minutes from Lynnwood City Center and Capitol Hill and from Angle Lake to SODO.
Passengers should plan ahead and allow for extra time for transfers between buses and trains or seek alternative transit options that may better suit their needs. Fans leaving the Kraken game on Saturday evening can take Route 8 from Seattle Center to Capitol Hill. Riders traveling between Downtown Seattle and SODO can take routes 101, 150 or 594. Link shuttles will use alternate routing and may experience significant delays on Saturday, Jan. 18 between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. due to a planned march starting in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
A full list of transit options is available at https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/changes-affect-my-ride/navigating-service-disruptions#1line.
This temporary service suspension is the second in a series of planned disruptions to construct, test, and repair components of the 1 and 2 Lines. The next scheduled disruption will be Feb. 1-2 for repairs to the OCS at University of Washington station that will remove speed restrictions in the area, followed by Feb. 14-16 for continued 2 Line tie-in work.
Passengers should plan ahead and allow for extra time for transfers between buses and trains or seek alternative transit options that may better suit their needs. A full list of transit options is available at https://www.soundtransit.org/1LineAlternatives.
A language line is available to provide translation assistance for limited English proficiency persons at 800-823-9230.
Sound Transit remains committed to working closely with its partners to continue serving the public. Efforts will continue to prioritize serving riders who depend on Sound Transit’s services, including seniors, people with disabilities, Title VI protected populations (race, color, national origin), low-income and limited-English-proficiency populations.
Riders can sign up to receive automatic email service alerts for Link light rail, ST Express, Tacoma Link, Sounder Seattle-Everett and Sounder Seattle-Tacoma/Lakewood. Rider Alerts provide information about schedule changes and help riders plan trips around inclement weather. Just go to Service alerts | Sound Transit.
Author: Mario Lotmore
