Seattle's 1 Line light rail commuters should prepare for significant service disruptions throughout November and December. Sound Transit has announced a series of planned closures to accommodate essential maintenance, repairs, and critical work needed to integrate the upcoming 2 Line.
The agency described the service suspensions as “strategic closures” necessary for the long-term health and expansion of the regional transit system. During these periods, bus services will replace the trains to connect passengers between the affected stations.
Key Takeaways
- Seattle's 1 Line will have multiple service suspensions in November and December 2025.
- The closures are required for maintenance, rail repairs, and integrating the new 2 Line.
- Affected segments include major downtown corridors and routes to Northgate and the U District.
- Sound Transit will provide bus bridges to replace trains during all scheduled disruptions.
A Detailed Schedule of Planned Closures
Commuters will need to plan their trips carefully as the disruptions affect various parts of the 1 Line on different days, including weekends and weekday evenings. Sound Transit has released a specific schedule to help riders prepare for the changes.
The series of closures begins in early November and continues through the end of the year, with more work expected in January 2026.
Plan Your Travel Accordingly
Passengers are advised to check the Sound Transit website for the latest updates and to sign up for service alerts before traveling. The agency recommends allowing for extra travel time on days with scheduled closures, as bus travel may be slower than the light rail.
November 2025 Disruptions
- Nov. 8: Service will be suspended between U District and Westlake stations from the start of service until 2 p.m. for maintenance work.
- Nov. 16: The line will be closed between Capitol Hill and Stadium stations for the entire day to allow crews to replace a section of cracked rail.
- Nov. 18-20: Service between Capitol Hill and SODO stations will end early on these weeknights for expanded overnight maintenance.
December 2025 Disruptions
- Dec. 2-4: Similar to the November work, service between Northgate and Capitol Hill stations will end early for overnight maintenance.
- Dec. 12-13: A significant weekend closure will take place from 11 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday between Capitol Hill and Stadium stations.
- Dec. 20-21: The same 11 p.m. to 10 a.m. weekend closure between Capitol Hill and Stadium will be repeated for a second weekend.
- Dec. 27-28: A third consecutive weekend closure, from 11 p.m. to 10 a.m., will affect the Capitol Hill to Stadium segment.
The Purpose Behind the Service Suspensions
While the closures will cause temporary inconvenience, Sound Transit officials state the work is essential for two primary reasons: system maintenance and major expansion projects. Regular upkeep, such as replacing worn or damaged rails, is critical for ensuring the safety and reliability of the existing 1 Line.
The more extensive closures, particularly those in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel, are directly related to preparing the system for the new 2 Line. This new line will connect Seattle with cities across Lake Washington, including Bellevue and Redmond, via the I-90 bridge.
Advanced Signaling for a Growing Network
The repeated weekend closures in December are scheduled specifically for crews to install and test an advanced signaling system in the downtown tunnel. This upgraded technology is required to manage the increased train frequency once both the 1 Line and 2 Line are operating simultaneously through the same downtown stations.
This integration work is a complex logistical challenge, requiring crews to access the tracks for extended periods when trains are not running.
Looking Ahead to the 2 Line and Future Expansions
These disruptions are a tangible sign of progress on the long-awaited 2 Line, which will introduce new stations to the system, including the Hendrix-inspired Judkins Park Station in the Central District. The full opening of this cross-lake connection has been revised, with service now anticipated to begin in 2026.
The current work underscores the significant investment in expanding public transit throughout the Puget Sound region. However, the expansion efforts are not without challenges.
"These strategic closures allow our crews to safely perform vital work on the system that will improve service reliability and prepare our region for a massive expansion of light rail service."
Sound Transit is also navigating difficult economic forecasts that could impact the timelines for even more distant projects. Leaders are working to keep future light rail extensions to West Seattle (currently planned for 2032) and Ballard (planned for 2039) on their projected schedules despite financial pressures.
For now, the focus remains on completing the 2 Line integration. The upcoming closures in November and December represent a critical phase of that project, requiring patience from current riders for the benefit of a larger, more connected system in the future.
