Downtown Redmond light rail lines officially open to much fanfare
Nearly nine years after voters approved the funding, Link Line 2 opens in Downtown Redmond with hundreds of families, transit enthusiasts and people who worked on the line taking some of the first rides.
'I love trains,' Zereline Mukherjee said while she rode the inaugural train out of Downtown Redmond, 'I've been looking forward to this line opening so I can go to Bellevue and not have to drive through all the traffic. It's amazing.'
About 70% of voters in Redmond supported the regional tax increase that helped fund the line in 2016. The opening ends a long wait for Mukherjee.
'I'm relieved. I've been in Redmond for 20-plus years and I think it's great.' she said.
For David, it ends years of hard work that he personally spent as part of the thousands of workers who built the final 3.4 miles to connect two stations to Downtown Bellevue.
'It's a big milestone for the region. A lot of hard work and effort by a lot of different people is what makes this exciting.' he said.
Sound Transit reports the $1.2 billion cost of the project came in under budget. It estimates a 25-minute travel time from Downtown Redmond to South Bellevue. Housing developments have sprouted around the final station of Line 2.
'Today's opening is one more visual indicator of our transition from a suburb to a city,' said Redmond mayor Angela Birney.
Several speakers at the ribbon-cutting asked when the next ground-breaking will be for the multi-billion dollar regional expansion of Link Service across King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. First, some other projects need to finish, like the connection of Line 2 to Line 1 in Seattle's Chinatown-International District.
'I go often to Seattle and the biggest problem is parking and paying the toll and sitting in traffic. I don't mind sitting on the train,' Mukherjee said.
Sound Transit expects testing across the floating bridge of Lake Washington to begin within the next calendar month. It's targeting 2026 for the opening of that connection, and the opening of the Line 1 extension into Federal Way.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
11 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Direct pay to college athletes starts July 1. Some key dates tied to implementation of settlement
It took five years for the $2.8 billion antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA and five major conferences to reach a settlement. Now comes the process for implementing it. Following are significant dates: Settlement approved; settlement-related NCAA rules are effective, as adopted by the NCAA Division I Board on April 21, 2025. NIL Go portal launches. Opt-in deadline for non-defendant schools to fully commit to revenue sharing. First date for direct institutional revenue-sharing payments to student-athletes. Opt-in schools must 'designate' student-athletes permitted by the settlement to remain above roster limits. With the exception of the 'designated' student-athletes, fall sports must be at or below roster limits by their first day of competition. With the exception of 'designated' student-athletes, winter and spring sports must be at or below roster limits by their first day of competition or Dec. 1, whichever is earlier. ___ AP college sports:
Forbes
13 minutes ago
- Forbes
Musk Follows Harvard In Biting The Hand That Feeds
Elon Musk and Harvard Both Bite the Governmental Hand that Feeds Them From an early age, children are taught essential lessons: do not play with fire, do not pet strange dogs, and if one cannot swim, stay out of the deep end. Another timeless rule—often forgotten by those in positions of immense wealth and influence—is this: do not bite the hand that feeds you. This lesson, while simple, has profound implications in the real world. It applies just as readily to billionaires and institutions as it does to children on a playground. Yet recent actions by both Elon Musk and prominent academic institutions—most notably Harvard, but also Columbia, MIT, and others—suggest that even the most successful individuals and organizations are capable of ignoring foundational wisdom. Harvard set the tone. Amid growing political scrutiny and a shifting cultural landscape, the university has drawn intense criticism over its handling of campus protests, particularly those involving slogans such as 'from the river to the sea.' The administration's decision to defend even the most controversial speech—widely viewed by many as antisemitic—has triggered investigations and jeopardized billions in tax-exempt status and government research funding. This raises a critical question: is this truly the hill worth dying on? Is preserving the right to controversial protest slogans worth risking Harvard's institutional future? It is doubtful that most students and faculty would knowingly trade funding, grants, and prestige for this fight. Elon Musk, the world's richest man, has now followed suit—this time turning his attention toward President Donald Trump, with whom he has launched a high-profile and personal feud. What makes this move especially striking is that President Trump is not a distant figure or a fading influence. He is once again sitting in the White House, wielding executive authority over regulatory agencies, defense contracting, and infrastructure initiatives—all areas that directly affect Musk's companies. Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI have flourished in part because of government partnership. SpaceX alone holds multibillion-dollar contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. Tesla has benefitted from years of energy subsidies and EV tax incentives. Picking a fight with the sitting president—regardless of personal conviction—puts this entire ecosystem at risk. And again the question must be asked: is this battle worth the damage? Whatever principle Musk may be defending, the consequences extend far beyond himself. Shareholders, employees, and retail investors—many of whom placed their trust and savings in his leadership—are the ones left exposed. The parallel between Harvard and Musk is striking: both have been immensely successful, aided in large part by government funding, favorable regulation, and public goodwill. And both have, for different reasons, chosen to confront the very institutions and leaders that have helped sustain their growth. There is precedent for how this ends. Jack Ma, once the most powerful entrepreneur in China, famously criticized the Chinese government. The backlash was immediate and absolute. His companies were dismantled. His IPO was cancelled. His wealth and influence evaporated almost overnight. Even in less authoritarian systems, the lesson holds: those who antagonize the systems that support them may not survive the consequences. While Musk's personal net worth has dropped from nearly $450 billion to approximately $300 billion, the impact is more symbolic than practical for him. But for millions of investors, employees, and stakeholders, these battles matter. Market volatility, regulatory backlash, and reputational risk all come with tangible financial costs—costs borne not just by Musk himself, but by those who have trusted and invested in his vision. The same applies to Harvard and peer institutions. Their leadership may believe they are standing on principle, but the price of alienating government agencies and key financial backers could reshape the long-term trajectory of these universities. The erosion of public trust, the loss of bipartisan support, and the potential withdrawal of federal funding pose existential threats. Leadership—whether in business or academia—requires more than conviction. It requires judgment, timing, and the discipline to separate personal ideology from institutional responsibility. Founder-led companies often outperform when leaders are focused, visionary, and measured. But when ego replaces strategy, the consequences can be swift and severe. No one is demanding absolute political alignment or silence in the face of controversy. No one is asking Elon Musk to wear a MAGA hat. But his recent actions have been so volatile, so self-destructive, that investors may soon be tempted to hand him something else entirely—a MEGA hat: Make Elon Great Again. In today's polarized environment, the margin for error has narrowed. And for those who owe much of their success to public support—whether in Silicon Valley or the Ivy League—biting the hand that feeds is not just unwise. It is unsustainable. ---------------------------------- Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please refer to the following link for additional disclosures: Additional Disclosure Note: The author has an affiliation with ERShares and the XOVR ETF. The intent of this article is to provide objective information; however, readers should be aware that the author may have a financial interest in the subject matter discussed. As with all equity investments, investors should carefully evaluate all options with a qualified investment professional before making any investment decision. Private equity investments, such as those held in XOVR, may carry additional risks—including limited liquidity—compared to traditional publicly traded securities. It is important to consider these factors and consult a trained professional when assessing suitability and risk tolerance.
CNET
17 minutes ago
- CNET
Stay Hydrated With Stanley Drinkware, Now Up to 40% Off for Father's Day
If staying hydrated is on your list this summer (as it should be), you need a water bottle that's not just big enough but also keeps your water cold for hours on end. Stanley's drinkware is a solid choice, and with current discounts, you don't have to spend a fortune. The brand is currently running its Father's Day sale, with up to 40% off everything from tumblers to pitchers to flasks (lunch boxes too). As someone who's just started taking hydration seriously -- thanks to her Stanley tumbler -- I highly recommend not missing out on these steep discounts. All the deals are around only for a limited time. We don't know how long the sale or the stock is going to last, so you might want to hurry. Some of our top picks from the sale include the 30-ounce Stanley IceFlow 2.0 flip straw tumbler, which comes with an easy-carry handle. This one keeps your drinks cold for up to 20 hours, or iced for up to three days, making it perfect for those long days when you're out and about. It can be yours for just $26 after a 25% discount right now, and you can choose from multiple colors. If you're after a bigger size, consider the 40-ounce tumbler with the same features, now for $34. For people who can't part with their hot coffee or tea even in the summer, the 12-ounce stay-hot camp mug is now available for just $20. And why stop at drinks when you can also grab the 14-ounce Stanley classic food container at a 14% discount? It can keep your food hot or cold for up to 7 hours. Why this deal matters Stanley products are known for their durability and that classic minimalist design, but they often come with a higher price tag. This sale lets you grab some of the top-rated options at a discount of up to 40%, making it a great time to invest in your drinkware or related items for a lot less.
