From the iron age, to the golden age of mass transit in greater Seattle It’s story full of disappointment, twists, achievements, and most of all, unwavering belief that mass transit has a place at the center of our regional transportation system. As we celebrate this moment, let’s take a look back at what it has taken the greater Seattle region to get here. Related to the Northgate expansion alone, we have published approximately 40 articles - many more if you can consider ancillary topics like updates to Sound Transit station wayfinding, and the rollercoaster ride that surrounded securing funding for Sound Transit. That’s why as soon as The Urbanist came into being, regional light rail expansion soon became one of our biggest areas for writing and advocacy. that is as hungry for new mass transit as Seattle. (Sound Transit)Īt this moment in time, there is arguably no urban area in U.S. System Expansions map in South Sound shows promised light rail to the Tacoma dome by 2030. In my discussions with early morning riders on the first day of service, I encountered airport travelers, hospital workers, people heading to set up their farmer’s market stalls, grandparents meeting family in the International District for dim sum, and a little boy dressed up as a firefighter whose father was touring him around the new light rail stations. Clausson is one example of the many people whose lives will improve as a result of the arrival of the Northgate light rail expansion. It cannot be stated enough that when we create accessible, affordable, climate friendly mass transit, we transform people’s lives for the better. “My doctors are all located at the UW Medical Center, so I’ll be using light rail a lot to get to my medical appointments,” Clausson said. Very enthusiastic about the newfound mobility the light rail expansion would bring into her life, Clausson may have been the first light rail rider to use the pedestrian and cyclist bridge to safely access the Northgate Station, arriving at the station before the departure of the first train. Yet it was not too early for Erica Clausson, a wheelchair user who lives in the Licton Springs neighborhood near the west end of the John Lewis Memorial Bridge. It was early in the morning on the opening day, although so not as early as I had hoped, my plan to be on the first departing train at 4:51am proving too ambitious. The entry point for my first ride to Northgate Station on Link light rail was Capitol Hill. (Photo by author) The history of Link light rail was writ large on the Northgate Link’s opening day. Passengers assemble at the U District light rail station on the first day of service.

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