Realpolitiks Bellevue
The Bellevue political radar
City working on compromise for South Bellevue light rail
January 21st, 2010 at Thu, 21st, 2010 at 2:47 pm by jhicksThe Bellevue City Council took a fresh approach to one of its thorniest issues Tuesday, requesting work on a hybrid light-rail plan for South Bellevue.
The proposed design appears to be a compromise between those who want to attract more train passengers with the highly frequented South Bellevue park-and-ride, and those who want East Link to run along the abandoned BNSF rail corridor.
The new variation would extend the park-and-ride lot on Bellevue Way SE to accommodate a light-rail station. The route would then turn east across Mercer Slough Nature Park before curving onto the BNSF right-of-way, and then toward downtown by way of 118th and 114th avenues.
The city is drafting a letter to Sound Transit requesting consideration of the line, and the council is expected to discuss the matter again on Jan. 25.
In February, the council recommended a South Bellevue route along Bellevue Way SE and 112th Ave. SE. But residents from the Surrey Downs and Enatai neighborhoods oppose that plan because of its potential impacts to their communities.
The alternative idea is to run East Link along the BNSF rail corridor on its way downtown, but condo dwellers living near that route oppose the plan.
The BNSF route is less expensive, and would free up money for a potential downtown tunnel or a future expansion of the light-rail system toward Issaquah.
On the other hand, the Bellevue Way SE alternative utilizes a popular park-and-ride that could attract hordes of riders.
One drawback of the compromise proposal is that it would cross Mercer Slough Nature Park, requiring significant environmental mitigation.
The council would have to update its routing preferences by March to include them in Sound Transit’s final environmental review, which is due by year’s end.
Sound Transit’s board of directors will make a decision on final routing and station locations after that review is complete.
East Link design work is scheduled to begin in 2011, with construction slated to start by 2014.
Light rail service to Bellevue is expected to launch in 2020.
jhicks I'm a general-assignment staff writer for the Bellevue Reporter. On this blog you'll find the nascent political and government news items I'm working on, as well as tidbits that might never make it into the paper – in case you're that into the Bellevue scene. Boards, commissions, gavel-wielding elected officials, and anyone controlling loads of taxpayer money are fair game. Feel free to comment away and use this as a community forum. You can also follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Reporter_Hicks, or contact me via e-mail at jhicks@bellevuereporter.com or by phone at 425-453-4290.
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