Look for signs and friendly Sound Transit Ambassadors in teal vests directing riders where to go. Starting Monday, Link light rail riders at Westlake, University Street, and International District/Chinatown and Stadium stations will board and exit trains on the opposite platform that they did during the first half of Connect 2020. Just when you thought you had your Connect 2020 commute down, we’re changing things up. Which brings us to #2: Platform switch starting Monday, February 10. Over the weekend they will be running a bunch of safety tests to ensure trains are operating properly and able to run on time for the Monday morning commute. The downtown tunnel between SODO and Capitol Hill will be closed this weekend so Sound Transit can make the big switch from having the trains operate on the southbound track to the northbound track near International District/Chinatown Station.

This weekend Sound Transit is making the big switch! During the second half of Connect 2020, crews will be connecting the southbound tracks to the Eastside, so trains will be running on the northbound track – this one track set up is also why riders need to transfer at Pioneer Street Station. During the first half of Connect 2020, construction crews were connecting the northbound tracks with the Eastside, so trains were running on the southbound track at International District/Chinatown Station. There are two rows of existing track: northbound and southbound. The Connect 2020 project is connecting Seattle’s existing Link light rail tracks to the new Eastside tracks near the International District/Chinatown Station.

Animation by Sound Transit via Why the weekend closure?

Capitol hill light rail