Sacramento light rail riders are in for a slog starting Thursday, as Sacramento Regional Transit shuts down 13 downtown stations through the weekend so crews can work on the platform at the Eighth & O station. Big chunks of the Blue and Gold lines will be handled by shuttle buses instead of trains, which means slower trips, extra transfers and the joy of sitting in downtown traffic. Globe and 13th Street stations will stay open for eastbound travel while the bus bridge is in effect.
When the closures happen
According to Sacramento Regional Transit, limited impacts were already in place Tuesday and Wednesday. From Thursday through Sunday, a downtown bus bridge will cover both the Blue and Gold lines. Blue Line shuttles will run between 13th Street and Globe, while Gold Line shuttles will connect 13th Street and Sacramento Valley Station. The agency warns that buses are at the mercy of surface-street traffic, so riders should budget extra time for transfers and possible delays.
Stations affected
The shutdown will temporarily darken a long stretch of downtown stops: Alkali Flat/La Valentina; 12th & I; Cathedral Square (10th & K and 11th & K); 9th & K; Sacramento Valley Station; 7th & Capitol; 8th & Capitol; 8 & K; 8th & H (County Center); 7th & I (County Center); 8th & O; and Archives Plaza. Two stations, Globe and 13th Street, will remain available for eastbound service out of downtown while the shuttles operate. That lineup, along with the scope of the construction work, was detailed by The Sacramento Bee.
How service will operate
During the project, Blue Line trains will operate in two segments: one running south from 13th Street to Cosumnes River College, and another running north from Globe to Watt/I-80. Gold Line trains will keep moving between 13th Street and Historic Folsom. Per Sacramento Regional Transit, shuttle buses will stop near each affected downtown station and are expected every 20 to 30 minutes. Riders using the bus bridge will need to hop off at 13th Street or Globe to reconnect with trains heading out of downtown.
Why crews are working now
The construction at 8th & O is part of SacRT's broader push to upgrade platforms for its new low-floor S700 light-rail trains. The eastbound platform at 8th & O has already been closed since July 2022 because of a nearby private development. The S700 cars have been running on the Gold Line since fall 2024, and SacRT's Light Rail Modernization program, which includes work at Dos Rios and several Blue Line platform upgrades, is slated to continue through 2027, according to KCRA. The goal is to boost accessibility and reliability once the new trains are folded into regular Blue Line service.
Rider tips
Allow at least an extra 20 to 30 minutes for downtown trips this weekend, especially during commute hours, and consider walking to nearby open stations like 7th & Capitol or 8th & Capitol when it makes sense for your route. Bring water and some shade if you expect to wait outdoors, and check transit apps or station signage for real-time updates before heading out. If you rely on a tight transfer, line up a backup plan, since the buses filling the gap are running on surface streets and can easily get bogged down in traffic.
