East Link light rail trains hit the tracks, make practice runs

Another major step in completing the East Link light rail extension is being taken as trains hit the tracks in Bellevue for the first time on Friday.

The trains are making practice runs overnight through Sunday. This is just the testing phase.

In November, crews had completed more than 90% of the East Link construction, linking downtown Bellevue to the Redmond Technology Station located near the Microsoft campus.

The route will ultimately connect Seattle with stations on Mercer Island, Bellevue and the Overlake/Bel Red areas.

East Link will run 14 miles with 10 stations in all.

The voter-approved extension, which was part of the nearly $4 billion Sound Transit 2 ballot measure, is projected to open in 2023.

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