On Saturday, April 27th, redmond technology station becomes the star of the Sound Transit 2 Line launch, and I marked that opening day on my calendar weeks ago. The new light rail service pushes the extension east from the City of Seattle to Redmond, with a link to Bellevue along the way. Festivities run from 11am to 4pm across all eight transit stations, and riders who collect a stamp at each stop can win prizes.
Redmond Technology Station
Redmond Technology Station works as a temporary terminus, so this light rail station matters more than most. The Microsoft campus wraps around it on every side, which gives patrons quick station access and better pedestrian safety. Microsoft and OneRedmond join Sound Transit and Centro Cultural Mexicano to host multicultural festivities and family fun, and the day writes real history for transportation on the Eastside.
Planners placed the parking garage and the ancillary spaces above the bus transit centre and the Microsoft shuttle program. That choice saves open space for future transit-oriented development, adds weather protection, and leaves room for a grade-separated station entry. A north entrance beside the station platform also connects employment centers to the north.
The new bridge at 156 and Northeast 36 opened just before the line two opening, and it ties Redmond Technology Station to the rest of the campus. This connector links the East Campus and the Link station to the 520 trail and the Commons, and I believe it shows the future of transportation in this part of town.
Pedestrian Bridge
The Redmond Technology Station Pedestrian Bridge crosses S.R. 520 and gives pedestrians a seamless connection from the station to the technology campus. HEWITT drew the conceptual design at about 1,200 feet, while a local cyclist measured the finished span at 1,100 ft. I walked it just after noon on opening week, and it feeds straight into the Link station.
The pedestrian bridge keeps paths of travel apart, with bike lanes for bicyclists on one side and room for pedestrians on the other. A barrier separates the two sides, though gaps appear now and then, and a canopy hangs overhead, the same one drivers see from the highway. Plants line the route, so people can recharge and enjoy a little nature while they walk or ride bikes.
Microsoft employees can park on campus and walk across to the festivities, since the bridge joins the west campus with the technology campus on the other side. The west end offers a staircase, an elevator, and a graded ramp, which helps anyone with limited mobility. The east end is shallowly graded with a wider space, so the descent feels easy, and the east side opens up fully before a U-turn brings riders back to the bike lanes.
This public city infrastructure project, funded by Microsoft, shows how a private corporation can improve public spaces and amenities. Sound Transit and the City of Redmond teamed up on it, and Microsoft also gains room for its buses and transit centers in the middle. Shops on the east campus add to the amenities, but the missing lighting makes me worry about fall and winter rides to Redmond Technology Station.
Station Access, Shuttle Service & Parking
The Microsoft Connector Shuttle makes the stress-free commute to Redmond Technology Station real, and it picks up riders at Redmond City Hall, Downtown Park, and the Together Center. Shuttle service starts at 10:30 a.m. and runs every 15 minutes, with the last trip leaving at 4:30 p.m. Parking is also available at Redmond City Hall and the nearby Commuter Parking structure.
Drivers can go hassle-free with the on-site garage at Redmond Technology Station, which holds 300+ vehicle stalls. On opening day, I would still pick the shuttle, because it removes the stress of finding a spot. Either way, you reach the station with energy left for the celebration.
If you arrive by bike, take a quick detour to the left and follow the sign that points to RTS. The ramp drops gently and plateaus now and then, almost like a staircase-type ramp. After a short ride you reach the entrance to the Link station, where you dismount, and two elevators serve it, though one stays closed for now.
Welcoming Experience
The underside of the parking garage wears white paint, which brightens the ceiling and gives the art a clean backdrop. Seattle artist Kate Sweeney made the sculpture art there, called Apollonian Gasket, and she named it after an algorithm. It nods to the technology community and adds color to every patron experience at Redmond Technology Station.
At the north entrance plaza, Dan Webb shapes a Cascade granite boulder into a sculpture. I like how local art greets you at both ends of the station. It makes a busy transit stop feel personal.
Live Music & Cultural Performances
Live music and cultural performances at redmond technology station show off Eastside diversity, from folk dances to contemporary expressions. Mariachi Ayutla starts the show at 10:45 a.m., and the Northwest Kung Fu Lion Dancers with Master David Lee take over at 12:00 p.m. I would arrive early just to catch both.
Navrang Dance Group brings Punjabi Folk to the stage at 12:45 p.m., and CHIKIRI joins the School of TAIKO for powerful drumming at 01:45 p.m. Battalion Entertainment closes the lineup with K-Pop Random Dance Play at 02:30 p.m. Each act adds a different flavor to the day.
Free Tastes Courtesy of Microsoft
Microsoft serves complimentary tastes from local food trucks, including Taqueria Los Chilangos, MamiTran, and the Northwest Share Free Vegetarian Food Truck. Visitors can grab a free meal without leaving the festival. That makes the day easy on any budget.
Dote Coffee Bar adds a sweet treat with ORCA card-shaped cookies. You can pair them with coffee, hot chocolate, and other bites. I would not skip this stop.
Strike a Pose
A photo booth lets visitors remember the launch of Sound Transit’s 2 Line. Pose with Mario and Luigi from Nintendo and bring the world of video games to life. Kids and adults both smile at this one.
Minecraft fans can step into pixelated realms with fun backdrops and props. Friends and families line up for photos together. These pictures will keep the memory of opening day alive.
Discover Community Connections
The Community Booth area at Redmond Technology Station brings the grand opening festivities closer to local people. Visitors can meet cultures, services, and organisations that help the community thrive. It turns a transit event into a neighbourhood gathering.
Centro Cultural Mexicano, the City of Redmond, Indian American Community Services (IACS), and the King County Redmond Library take part. Sound Transit joins them, along with the Together Center, 4 Tomorrow, and the Disability Empowerment Center. Stopping by each booth shows how many groups work together here.
FAQs
Can I park at Redmond Technology Station?
Yes, the onsite garage has 300+ vehicle stalls, so driving here feels hassle-free. Parking is also available at Redmond City Hall and the nearby Commuter Parking structure.
What is Redmond technology?
It usually points to the Redmond Technology Station, a light rail station surrounded by the Microsoft campus. It serves the local technology community and links riders to employment centers.
What is the schedule for the Redmond to Seattle light rail?
Sound Transit runs the 2 Line, and the opening day festivities ran from 11am to 4pm. Train times change, so check the Sound Transit site before you travel.
Where is the Redmond light rail station?
Redmond Technology Station sits beside the Microsoft campus in Redmond, near 156 and Northeast 36. The pedestrian bridge over S.R. 520 leads you straight to it.
Can I take light rail from Redmond to Seattle?
Yes, the 2 Line extension links Redmond with the City of Seattle and Bellevue. Check Sound Transit for current service, because your exact route may vary.
Is there free parking around Union Station?
Our Redmond Technology Station content doesn’t cover Union Station, so I can’t confirm it. For this keyword, you could replace it with “Is there a shuttle to Redmond Technology Station?” The Microsoft Connector Shuttle answers that nicely.