Construction to interrupt light rail service this weekend

SEATTLE — Link light rail will not run between SODO and Capitol Hill this weekend due to construction.

Starting at 11 p.m. Friday, trains will run only between Angle Lake and SODO and between Capitol Hill and University of Washington.

There will be shuttle buses making surface stops at all the closed stations between Capitol Hill and SODO. This is the second of three planned closures.

Service between the stations will also be interrupted on Nov. 9-10.

The closure will allow crews to build a temporary center platform at Pioneer Square Station as Sound Transit moves to expand light rail service to the eastside.

During the service interruptions, shuttle busses will bridge the gap between Capitol Hill and SODO.

Trains will run between Angle Lake and SODO and between Capitol Hill and University of Washington as normal.

The temporary platform will allow Sound Transit to prepare for Connect 2020 – a 10-week period of "major light rail service impacts beginning in January that will connect the existing light rail system in downtown Seattle to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond," Sound Transit said.

During the 10 weeks of construction, existing tracks will shift to join the new Eastside light rail line and update the signal system.

Officials said the track closures will "significantly" reduce light rail service.

Up to 1,600 passengers at a time who are traveling through downtown will have to use the temporary platform at Pioneer Square to continue their journeys.

Sound Transit said bicycles will not be allowed in Pioneer Square Station during Connect 2020.

"Riders who bring bicycles on board will be required to exit the train before arriving at Pioneer Square Station," Sound Transit said.

Officials said service during Connect 2020, beginning in January, will be four-car trains every 12 minutes in each direction.

Right now, the trains come every six minutes during normal peak-hour service.

See our previous coverage on business/resident complaints over light rail expansion: 

Cox Media Group