Decades ago, the Pacific Northwest city launched a multibillion-dollar transit building boom. Now the new lines and stations are drawing riders — and criticism.

Sound Transit says the Crosslake Connection will open soon, completing the 2 Line and linking Seattle and the Eastside by light rail across Lake Washington.

After sporadic service disruptions, repairs — and a shutdown — are set for Saturday, to make the line more resilient should a Super Bowl victory parade lie ahead.

One of Sound Transit's practice trips demonstrated the allure Wednesday of future light rail trains across Lake Washington.

The train cruised at 55 mph on this test run over floating sections of the former I-90 express lanes, with no shimmy, little vibration and a great view.