New Light Rail Station Opens Connecting Downtown To River District

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The new Green Line light rail extension in Sacramento opened Friday morning, and city officials hope the addition helps spur development in the area north of downtown.

The Green Line adds 1.1 miles of light rail track, connecting downtown to the river district.

The first train arrived at the station on 7th and Richards Boulevard at 11 a.m. after three years of construction. City leaders envision a mix of residential and retail development to the Township 9 project, but so far nothing has been built.

The Sacramento Regional Transit District president said the project is critical to developing the area.

"Over the next several years, development will rise out of that dirt," Mike Wiley said. "This station is integral to that development."

This is the first opening for a light rail station in six years. This extension will eventually head to the Sacramento International Airport.

The cost of the project was $44 million, most of which came from the Measure A transportation bond.