Downtown Redmond Link Extension Project Nears Next Phase

REDMOND, WA — Construction work is picking up steam along on the Downtown Redmond Link Expansion, and residents will notice significant activity in the weeks and months ahead. The 3.4-mile light rail segment will include two new stations in Southeast Redmond, serving Marymoor Village and the downtown core.

Service is expected to begin in 2024, one year after the East Link opens, which will run from downtown Seattle to the Overlake area.

Planned work will include demolition projects, tree removal and utility relocation along State Route 520 beginning in early 2021. According to Sound Transit, 3,000 trees will be removed for construction, and 12,000 will be replanted. Replacement areas will include the new stations, Redmond city streets, the Redmond Central Connector trail, Marymoor Park, and wetland and stream areas.

Crews will also restore 500 feet of Bear Creek, which will include:

• Removing an old creosote-treated railroad trestle, rubble and culverts.
• Widening the channel and flood plain.
• Removing fill and rubble to improve connectivity with the creek and its flood plain.
• Improving fish and wildlife habitat by placing large woody material in the stream channel and flood plain.
• Enhancing off-channel habitat for juvenile salmonids.
• Enhancing more than four acres of riparian buffer through the removal of invasive vegetation and replanting native trees and shrubs.

Once complete, the Downtown Redmond Link Extension will allow riders to get from downtown Redmond to downtown Bellevue in 18 minutes, and as far as downtown Seattle in 45 minutes. Learn more about the project on the Sound Transit website.