Best quote of the day: 'I'm going to make it pimp, like people are going to be stoked to go here.'
Bellingham, Whatcom County Local News | Bellingham Herald
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Kirkland City Council and The Rail vs. Trail Question
Yikes...not a lot of notice on this one...
Tonight - Tuesday September 16th (probably when you're reading this) - the Kirkland City Council is discussing the fate of the Woodinville subdivision as it stands within the city's borders. Nearly 7 miles of track exists within the city lines, including some of the most scenic sections and some of the tightest fits for the tracks running through places like Houghton. Eastside Trail Advocates will be at the meeting, and I'm hoping Rail Advocates like Eastside Rail Now! will be there as well. I can't make it, but I've done my part to raise awareness already.
In 2007 I was invited to speak before the Moss Bay Neighborhood Association, and I had the opportunity to share my vision of a rail line through the city that could easily serve some of the transportation needs of the region. My discussion was well received, and at the very least planted the idea that the rail line was a resource that should be saved.
My message today is the same as it was in 2006 when I heard that the line was up for sale. We need a rail line through the Eastside to serve the transportation needs of the region; without it, we are merely a region that is thinking big rather than taking the tough steps to make "World Class" happen for suburban Seattle. The argument from the Trail Advocate side has often been, "Look at all the grade crossings that will hold up traffic in the area." Yeah, look at them. They were there last year, and they were there 100 years ago. Get over it. It's a right-of-way, and cities like Chicago are littered with them. Last I checked, Chicago and its bustling suburbs were the center of the Midwest Universe - purely World Class. People deal with commuter trains there every day, and have for over a century. A commuter train will take maybe 20 seconds out of someone's day if they get caught at a crossing; if 20 seconds is that important on the wrong side of a train then maybe it's time to switch careers.
I love trails as much as the next person, because I'm also a big Bicycle Advocate. But as our region gets more congested the reality of life shows the vital need for transportation options that impact more people than those who ride bikes to work. I support an option that preserves the rail corridor first, and provides for a trail second.
Hopefully there will be someone at the meeting tonight who feels the same.
Tonight - Tuesday September 16th (probably when you're reading this) - the Kirkland City Council is discussing the fate of the Woodinville subdivision as it stands within the city's borders. Nearly 7 miles of track exists within the city lines, including some of the most scenic sections and some of the tightest fits for the tracks running through places like Houghton. Eastside Trail Advocates will be at the meeting, and I'm hoping Rail Advocates like Eastside Rail Now! will be there as well. I can't make it, but I've done my part to raise awareness already.
In 2007 I was invited to speak before the Moss Bay Neighborhood Association, and I had the opportunity to share my vision of a rail line through the city that could easily serve some of the transportation needs of the region. My discussion was well received, and at the very least planted the idea that the rail line was a resource that should be saved.
My message today is the same as it was in 2006 when I heard that the line was up for sale. We need a rail line through the Eastside to serve the transportation needs of the region; without it, we are merely a region that is thinking big rather than taking the tough steps to make "World Class" happen for suburban Seattle. The argument from the Trail Advocate side has often been, "Look at all the grade crossings that will hold up traffic in the area." Yeah, look at them. They were there last year, and they were there 100 years ago. Get over it. It's a right-of-way, and cities like Chicago are littered with them. Last I checked, Chicago and its bustling suburbs were the center of the Midwest Universe - purely World Class. People deal with commuter trains there every day, and have for over a century. A commuter train will take maybe 20 seconds out of someone's day if they get caught at a crossing; if 20 seconds is that important on the wrong side of a train then maybe it's time to switch careers.
I love trails as much as the next person, because I'm also a big Bicycle Advocate. But as our region gets more congested the reality of life shows the vital need for transportation options that impact more people than those who ride bikes to work. I support an option that preserves the rail corridor first, and provides for a trail second.
Hopefully there will be someone at the meeting tonight who feels the same.
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