Sound Transit completes first light-rail tunnel for Northgate Link Extension

Sound Transit earlier this week announced contractors had completed the first of six light-rail tunnels as part of its $2.1 billion Northgate Link Extension Project.

The completed 1.5-mile segment runs south from Northgate Mall to the Roosevelt Station in Seattle.

Following a maintenance period at Roosevelt, the tunnel boring machine will continue working south of the station to eventually connect with the University of Washington Station, which is slated to open early next year in Seattle.

"This machine churned through hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of earth to reach Roosevelt Station," said Sound Transit Chairman Dow Constantine.

Expected to be completed by 2021, the project comprises a 4.3-mile route that runs from Northgate Mall to the University of Washington. The extension also will provide a rail connection from Northgate to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.