Hopelink hosts Open House Event to Discuss Phase 3 of Eastlink Connections Extension Project

Hopelink is hosting a virtual open house on March 4^th, 2022 from 10:30 to 11:30am, aimed at fostering communication between Eastlink planners, community-based organizations, and riders.

Eastlink Connections is a project jointly led by Sound Transit and King County Metro which aims to improve transit connections on the Eastside in preparation for Link Light Rail expansions which are planned for 2023 and 2024. These extension projects will bring 12 new Light Rail Stations, and 29 bus routes to the Eastside. These projects will impact Bellevue, Bothell, Clyde Hill, Duvall, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Medina, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Shoreline, Seattle Judkins Park/Center District, Woodinville, Yarrow Point.

We are currently in the third phase of public engagement, but it may be helpful to review the first two phases. In the first phase of engagement, April 5 – 25, 2021, Metro and Sound Transit sought to identify the needs and priorities of the Eastside, including important connection points, availability, frequency, reliability, overcrowding, safety, barriers to transit use, as well as improvements that would encourage more transit use. Metro and Sound Transit identified the following needs and priorities through conversations with community-based organizations, local employers, local mobility groups and a public survey:

·      Make transfers easier by being safe, frequent, and accessible, especially for seniors and riders with disabilities

·      Provide faster travel times

·      Minimize transfers for long-distance travelers who may already have multiple transfers

·      Provide more connections to new locations such as UW, Sea-Tac Airport, Northgate, and downtown Seattle

·      Improve and add local connections

·      More service outside of peak periods and more service on weekends

In the second phase of engagement, they presented a set of service concepts based on the identified needs and priorities of Eastside community stakeholders. They asked Eastside stakeholders and community organizations for feedback on these service concepts, which they incorporated into their refined service change concepts.

We are now entering the third phase of engagement. Sound transit and Metro are looking for public feedback to fine tune their service change proposal to ensure they meet the transit needs of Eastside communities. They will use this final round of community feedback to adjust their service proposal. They will then present to the King County Council and Sound Transit Board later in 2022. Upon approval, these service changes will be implemented ahead of the opening of the Link light rail 2 Line in 2023.

This is an opportunity to shape public transportation on the eastside and ensure it meets our specific needs. Join us in the conversation by registering for the Open House here on March 4^th from 10:30-11:30.

Additionally, you can participate in the Eastlink Connections survey, open until March 7^th and join an information session Saturday, February 26^th from 10:00 to 11:00am by registering here.