Sound Transit in Seattle joined its partners and members of the community to break ground Aug. 17 on the biggest Sound Transit 2 construction project to date: the 4.3-mile Northgate Link light rail extension, which will run from Husky Stadium to stations serving the University District, Roosevelt, and Northgate.

The ceremony at the site of the future Roosevelt Station focused on the project’s partnerships and collaboration with FTA, the city of Seattle, King County Metro Transit, University of Washington, Puget Sound Regional Council, labor unions, contractors, businesses, and community organizations.

FTA Administrator Peter M. Rogoff called the light rail extension “a big win for Seattle, bringing the region a step closer to completing a first-class transportation system with seamless connections between downtown and SeaTac.”

“Today represents a historic step toward delivering the 36 miles of light rail extensions that voters approved in 2008,” said Pat McCarthy, Sound Transit board chair and Pierce County executive. According to McCarthy, the project will be responsible for more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, giving a boost to the regional economy.

“Expanding rail transit in Seattle is critical to our future. It gives people a better choice for getting around town. It will help us move away from our dependency on oil. And it creates opportunities to build the kind of vibrant communities that make city living so special,” added Sound Transit Board Member and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. “Today’s groundbreaking is the latest milestone in an effort to expand transit that is made possible by strong and successful relationships with regional partners. I look forward to continuing to work to expand transit in Seattle.”

The community celebration following the groundbreaking ceremony featured musical performances and such family-friendly activities as a Link train photo booth and the chance to meet Zap Gridlock, Sound Transit’s traffic-fighting superhero.

The $2.1 billion Northgate Link Extension will run mostly underground through one of the region’s most congested travel corridors. When it opens in 2021, it will offer fast, frequent, and congestion-free service 20 hours a day that connects North Seattle destinations with the University of Washington, Capitol Hill, downtown Seattle, South Seattle, Tukwila, and SeaTac. The project will get underway with demolition activities in the Roosevelt area.

Construction continues to move toward a 2016 opening of the University Link light rail extension connecting downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill, and Husky Stadium. Sound Transit is also preparing to move forward with an expedited extension of light rail southward from the airport to South 200th Street that will also open in 2016. Future Link extensions to the north, east, and south are scheduled to open in 2023, stretching the light rail system to more than 50 miles.

Participants in the ceremonial ground breaking for Sound Transit’s Northgate Link Light Rail Extension include, from left, Joshua Newman, Maple Leaf Community Council; Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, also a Sound Transit board member; Tim Wolfe, Roosevelt Neighborhood Association; Washington State Sen. David Frockt; Jim O'Halloran, Roosevelt Neighborhood Association; Pat McCarthy, Sound Transit board chair and Pierce County executive; Dow Constantine, Sound Transit board member and King County executive; Keith Weir, Seattle/King County Building and Construction Trades Council; FTA Regional Administrator Rick Krochalis; Jan Drago, former Sound Transit Board and King County Council member; Josh LaBelle, Seattle Theatre Group; and Joe McDermott, Sound Transit Board and King County Council member.