The 2 Line Crosslake Connection Is Here: A Historic Milestone for Bellevue

On March 28, 2026, the Eastside will celebrate a milestone decades in the making: the opening of the 2 Line Crosslake Connection, completing light rail service between Bellevue and Seattle.

Most notably, this marks the first light rail service in the world to operate on a floating bridge, connecting passengers across Lake Washington without needing a car.

A Vision Decades in the Making

The Crosslake Connection is the result of nearly three decades of regional transit planning and voter-approved investments.

In 1996, voters approved Sound Move, the region’s first high-capacity transit plan, creating the foundation for today’s light rail system. More than a decade later, in 2008, voters approved the Sound Transit 2 (ST2) ballot measure, which funded the East Link Extension, bringing light rail from Seattle across Lake Washington to Bellevue and Redmond.

Construction began in 2015 following final design and funding agreements. One of the most complex elements of the project was adapting the I-90 Homer M. Hadley floating bridge to carry light rail, the first time in the world rail service would operate across a floating bridge.

After years of engineering work, testing, setbacks, and system integration, the Crosslake Connection now completes the East Link extension.

What This Means for Bellevue

The completed 2 Line provides:

• Direct light rail service between Bellevue and Seattle

• Reliable travel times separated from highway congestion

• Frequent service throughout the day

According to Sound Transit, the 2 Line will operate between Lynnwood and Redmond every 8 minutes during peak periods and offers predictable travel times independent of traffic conditions.

The system connects major employment centers including Downtown Bellevue, the Spring District, Overlake, and Seattle’s urban core, creating a faster and more reliable way for employees to commute across Lake Washington. For many workers traveling between the Eastside and Seattle, the 2 Line offers an alternative to long and unpredictable trips on I-90.

"As a Seattle resident without a car, I am looking forward to not having a 1.5 hour commute each way to work in Bellevue."

Tommie L

Beyond commuting, the Crosslake Connection also makes it easier for residents and visitors to explore both sides of the lake. A quick train ride will now easily connect Bellevue to destinations such as Pike Place Market, Stadium District, International District, and even the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

What This Means for Bellevue’s Economy

For Bellevue businesses, this expanded access means more opportunities to attract customers, employees, and visitors, who can arrive without the stress of driving or parking.

This kind of improved mobility is exactly what regional transit investments are designed to achieve. Connecting people to jobs, businesses, and experiences across the Puget Sound region.

According to the recent American Public Transportation Association: Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment report, long-term investment in public transit generates significant economic returns, improving mobility, reducing congestion, and expanding access to jobs. Analysis found that long-term investment over 20 years can have a “total effect on the economy and society of approximately 5 times the amount being spent annually.”

For Bellevue, the Crosslake Connection strengthens the city’s position as a major employment center in the region while making it easier for workers, residents, and visitors to access downtown.

“When you invest in how people move, you transform where businesses choose to be. Years ago, the Eastside's largest tech employers cited the coming light rail connection as a key factor in deepening their roots in our city. It's incredibly exciting to see that vision now come to fruition and witness firsthand how beneficial this monumental transit expansion will be for all that travel in Bellevue. Easier commutes attract top talent, and top talent attracts the world-class employers that drive our economy forward.”

Mackenzie M., Transportation Specialist at Connect Bellevue

Game Nights Just Got Easier

Link light rail provides direct access to Seattle’s Stadium District via stations serving Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park.

Once open, link service on the 1 and 2 line will run from approximately 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday - Saturday and from 6 a.m. - midnight on Sundays.

This allows riders to attend sports games without relying on parking or driving across Lake Washington:

• Seattle Mariners in T-Mobile Park

• Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field

• Seattle Sounders & Seattle Reign at Lumen Field

• Seattle Kraken & Seattle Torrent at Climate Pledge Arena (via transfer on Monorail)

Supporting Local: Ride2Downtown

To celebrate the opening of the Crosslake Connection, the Bellevue Downtown Association and Connect Bellevue are launching the Ride2Downtown campaign.

Ride2Downtown encourages riders to take the 2 Line into downtown Bellevue and support local businesses. By signing up, participants will receive weekly promotions from March 29 - May 16, from participating Bellevue businesses, exclusive to riders arriving by light rail.

Celebrate the Opening on March 28

Join the Bellevue Downtown Association and Connect Bellevue at the Bellevue Downtown Station on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the 2 Line Crosslake Connection Opening Celebration.

Community members are invited to stop by and experience the excitement of this historic moment. The celebration will feature:

• Exclusive Crosslake Connection swag

• Community organizations and transportation resources

• Giveaways and activities

• Local food trucks

Come celebrate the start of this new chapter, and don’t forget to sign up for the Ride2Downtown campaign to enjoy weekly promotions from local Bellevue businesses when you arrive by light rail.