I had a chance to hop on a train at the brand new Northgate Station the night before it opened and check out three new stops on this ultra long project. I'm going to be direct - it was just some train stations. Sure there's cool art and technology, but for anyone who has lived in a city with proper transportation, its best quality is that it is clean (for now).
Brand new, fresh and clean light rail stops are just waiting for your rainy muddy boots!Gregr
What is cool is the idea of someone in the north end driving down for to Northgate, hoping on a train and popping off to cheer on Sounders FC or catch a flight from SEA-TAC. What is cool is that these are three of twenty-five new stations opening over 3 years that will expand this link from its airport-University current run to getting commuters to and from Redmond and all the way up to Lynnwood! Meanwhile, the Tacoma Hilltop Link extension comes to life.
What is cool is hopping off the light rail across the street from the Atlantic Crossing and watching early English soccer and sucking down a couple morning beers before jumping back on the train outta there! What is cool is the massive amount of technology implemented to keep the U District Station from disturbing nearby University research and labs utilizing floating concrete slabs below to absorb the rumble.
U District Station springs up literally one block from The Neptune TheatreGregr
What is cool is walking literally one block to arrive at the Neptune Theatre for a show and not having to worry about parking.
Massive boring machines dug these tunnels running from Roosevelt Station to U District Station
Now while it would be cool to see a dude who grew his wealth by 40% during a pandemic stop aiming for the moon and sink a ton of dough into expediting this thing, it's not going to happen. We're going to continue paying property tax to cover the cost, but with huge population increases and no other improved infrastructure (looking at the West Seattle Bridge) what's our other option? It's jetpacks but I mean driving in the rain is hard enough for us... I saw someone arguing for more buses. Have you ever paid $10 for the HOV lane to sit still? Yeah, buses are not the answer anymore.
Wouldn't it be cool if Everett or Tacoma or Renton didn't have to wait another 15 years before service connects them to Seattle by rail? Crazy that the money Mark Zuckerberg reportedly lost during his no good very bad day could pay to get the light rail to the arena, beautiful Ballard or maybe even West Seattle ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ .
Look at these dorks cutting the ribbon ;)Gregr
Regardless of the complaints, I'm pumped for this expansion. I plan to use it immediately to go from Snohomish -> Northgate Station -> SEA-TAC International and save my spouse a long traffic-y drive.
Enjoy a few more photos from our preview starting with a quartet from the renowned Roosevelt High School jazz program.
Roosevelt High School jazz band members perform highlighting the access the station has directly across the street from their school. More likely people will use it to get to Whole Foods.Gregr
Mayor Durkan praises Roosevelt High School jazz director Scott BrownGregr
This trio were lovely when suddenly they go into a full medley of Super Mario Bros songs and the smiles were flowing!Gregr
