Emergent rail replacement Weekend of shuttles, delayed service ahead for Seattle light rail

Seattle's downtown light rail service will shut down this weekend for urgent rail replacement work, disrupting transit between Capitol Hill and SoDo. Sound Transit confirmed that trains will run every 15 minutes on limited routes, with passengers needing to transfer to shuttle buses every 30-60 minutes for downtown access. This repair is necessary after inspections revealed a damaged section of rail near Westlake Station. The service interruption is part of Sound Transit’s broader preparations for the expansion of light rail across the I-90 bridge, which has faced delays. The new line connecting downtown to Judkins Park is now expected to open in early 2026, and testing on the floating bridge track has begun.

The $4. 9 billion project will delay future light rail projects on the Eastside for at least 20 years. Sound Transit also aims to extend service to West Seattle by 2033 and Ballard by 2039. These expansions are crucial for enhancing regional transit connectivity.