It’s been a whole five years since Sound Transit last expanded our high capacity transit spine with a new Link light rail extension, but as of next Saturday, the wait will finally be coming to an end when Northgate Link opens to the public.
The 4.3 mile extension, which has been under construction since 2012, will add three new stations to the system formerly known as Central Link and now being dubbed Line 1: U District, Roosevelt, and the namesake Northgate Station.
If you’d like to take a peek inside the new stations ahead of next Saturday’s opening, we’ve put together three photo galleries showcasing each one.
Enjoy, and if you’re curious about timing, know that Northgate Link will be open for your enjoyment beginning prior to dawn’s first light on Saturday, October 2nd. Sound Transit has opted against any kind of special schedule for next weekend because that could be needlessly disruptive to riders. So if you want to be on the very first train in revenue service, you’ll need to get up really, really early!
U District, short for University District, is the southernmost of the new stations. It is located on Brooklyn Avenue between NE 43rd and NE 45th Streets, across the road from the UW Tower and steps away from the shops on The Ave.
Are your taste buds as eclectic as your wardrobe? Then you, my friend, have come to the right place. Here you’ll find a plethora of indie eateries, coffee shops, pubs and bars — where you can hang out with UW students and relive your college days, minus the all-nighters and cold pizza. What’s more, if you’re in the market for super fresh produce and all things organic, check out the U District Farmers Market every Saturday.
– Sound Transit
The station has two head houses that are separated by a small tract of land that will soon be repurposed for transit-oriented development by the University of Washington. Here’s some photos from inside (and outside!) the station:
Roosevelt, the middle of the new stations, is located at NE 65th Street and 12th Avenue NE, not far from Ravenna Park. Roosevelt High School is nearby, as are many small businesses, from Rain City Burgers to Sunlight Cafe and Teddy’s.
Named after Teddy Roosevelt, this urban-suburban neighborhood was ranked as the 10th hottest in the nation. Here, you’ll discover a diverse mix of delightful little restaurants, cozy coffee houses and friendly bars where everybody knows your name if you have it embroidered on your shirt. You’ll also find nearby Green Lake and several yoga studios where you can Namaste the day away.
– Sound Transit
Here’s some photos from inside (and outside!) the station:
Northgate is the northernmost of the new stations. It is located at 1st Avenue NE and NE 103rd Street. On one side of the station is Interstate 5; on the other side is Northgate Mall and the Seattle Kraken’s new practice facility.
What was once known as one of the country’s first open-air malls, it will soon be home to the Seattle Kraken. So, along with three NHL regulation skating rinks, a training center, and Kraken HQ, you’ll find one of the busiest transit centers in the state connected to the Link light rail station. Needless to say, if you need a ride anywhere, and I mean anywhere, this is the place to be.
– Sound Transit
Here’s some photos from inside (and outside!) the station:
If these photo galleries whetted your appetite for more, you can get some “Street View” style glimpses of the underground U District and Roosevelt stations at this website that Sound Transit built to promote the new extension.
We will be covering next weekend’s opening festivities here on The Cascadia Advocate, so check back as October gets going for our impressions and thoughts on the inauguration of service to our newest light rail stations!
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