Link light rail closed downtown this weekend for Connect 2020 project

This weekend is the second of three planned weekend closures for downtown Seattle Link service, starting Friday night at 9 p.m. until Monday morning as part of the Connect 2020 project.

What you need to know during 10 weeks of light rail closures, construction

Connect 2020 is Sound Transit’s 10-week project to connect the existing system to the new light rail tracks that will serve the Eastside in the coming years.

Shuttle buses will operate in place of the Link light rail service Feb. 8-9 between Capitol Hill station and SoDo. The buses will make surface stops at each closed station, and fares will not be required for train or shuttle bus passengers.

Connect 2020 started in early January and is a 10-week project. At the halfway point now, Sound Transit reported that the project is on schedule.

In a news release, Sound Transit reminds passengers to “allow extra time” for their trips during the remaining five weeks of this project as trains arrive less frequently, and to “pay attention to signage and direction” from staff members. Pioneer Square station is still under construction, requiring riders to change trains on a new center platform when service resumes Monday.

Seattle’s light rail expansions likely won’t reduce road congestion

The reduced Link capacity during this project is in preparation for 2023 when light rail expands to 10 East King County stations. The project was set now so the work could be completed before ridership increases due to the new stations opening in 2021 in the University District, Roosevelt, and Northgate.

The third and final weekend of planned closures for this project is scheduled for March 14-15.

Sign up for Rider Alerts or visit Sound Transit’s Connect 2020 page for more information.