Kirkland officials urge Sound Transit to spare Eastside light rail extension

City officials in Kirkland will ask Sound Transit to avoid an indefinite deferral of a long-planned light rail route into the Eastside community.

As Sound Transit leadership continues to grapple with the best ways to address a $35 billion budget shortfall, city officials in Kirkland hope that a South Kirkland-to-Issaquah light rail project can stay alive. But the decision on the project may be fast approaching.

-snip-

A South Kirkland-to-Issaquah light rail expansion, also known as the future 4 Line, is among the vulnerable projects, according to the city. It is currently envisioned to include construction of light rail service from the South Kirkland Park-and-Ride through Bellevue along the Eastrail and out to Issaquah via Interstate 90.

The line was expected to open by 2041, but budget gaps could delay its delivery until 2044.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/04/08/sound-transit-light-rail-south-kirkland-issaquah.html