Summary:
Seattle's light rail system has expanded with the opening of Judkins Park Station, which provides direct light rail access between Seattle and cities including Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond. The new station will serve as a key transfer point, improving access between neighborhoods and making it easier for riders to travel across the region. The station opening is accompanied by a series of street and safety improvements aimed at making the area more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users. Parking near the station will be limited, with short-term parking available on nearby streets.
Seattle’s light rail system is expanding once again, with the opening of Judkins Park Station on Saturday marking a major step in connecting the city to the Eastside.
The new station, part of Sound Transit’s Crosslake Connection, will provide direct light rail access between Seattle and cities including Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond, while also linking Judkins Park to downtown Seattle by train for the first time.
To celebrate the milestone, Sound Transit will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. at Sam Smith Park, located across from the station’s east entrance. The first train is expected to depart from Judkins Park Station around 10 a.m.
Transit officials say the station will serve as a key transfer point, improving access between neighborhoods and making it easier for riders to travel across the region.
Judkins Park Station includes two entrances — one at Rainier Avenue South and another at 23rd Avenue South — designed to connect surrounding communities to the growing light rail network.
Riders can also access the station using several major King County Metro routes. Route 7 and Route 106 serve stops near the station along Rainier Avenue South, while Route 48 runs along 23rd Avenue. Route 8 has been rerouted to better connect with the station, now traveling along 23rd Avenue South with multiple nearby stops.
The station opening is accompanied by a series of street and safety improvements aimed at making the area more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users. These upgrades include new bus-only lanes, protected bike lanes, raised crosswalks and pedestrian-activated flashing beacons to improve visibility and safety.
Parking near the station will be limited, with short-term (two- and four-hour) parking available on nearby streets. Residential areas are designated as Restricted Parking Zones, with permits available to eligible residents.
Officials are encouraging riders to plan ahead and consider walking, biking or taking transit to reach the station.