Crowds ring in new University Link light rail extension

Groups of people crowded together Saturday morning, celebrating the opening of Sound Transit’s University Light rail extension.

The light rails promises eight-minute trips between Husky Stadium and Downtown Seattle.

The celebrations continue today as the new light rail stations at UW & Capitol Hill open to the public! pic.twitter.com/VZXYbqUlzN

— Ed Murray (@MayorEdMurray) March 19, 2016

It also includes a stop in the densely-populated neighborhood of Capitol Hill, where party tents were already up on Friday.

UW Link light rail station now open — connects U Dist to Cap Hill and beyond (to Seatac Airport) pic.twitter.com/ncE4M9ZsKr

— Maria Guerrero (@MariaKIRO7) March 19, 2016

“I like the idea of being able to get to the U-dub really quickly, Downtown really quickly,” said Thatcher Christeaan, who lives a few blocks from the station.

King County Executive Dow Constantine, who chairs Sound Transit’s board, took a ride on the extension earlier in the week with reporters.

“It really means that we are turning the corner on the transportation mess that has been created, that we are getting ahead of the curve on the million new people who are coming here in the next 25 years, that we are investing in a strong economic future,” Constantine said.

Constantine said the new extension is opening six months ahead of schedule and $200 million under budget.

The new stations opened at about 10 a.m.

“I like the idea of being able to get to the U-dub really quickly, Downtown really quickly,” said Thatcher Christeaan, who lives a few blocks from the station.