Eastern Washington Gateway Line Part II

Looks like the state and US Rail Partners have come to an agreement on how to move forward with the EWGRR. Both finances and operations will be addressed, and the carrier is no longer in jeopardy of being kicked off the line by July.

Woohoo!

State Funds On Hold For Eastside Light Rail

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008952405_bridgerail31m.html

Given the financial situation in the Washington right now, the State has backed out of a $29 million commitment to fund work on the the I-90 bridges in support of the Eastside LINK Light Rail project. This could delay the line considerably if funding isn't found.

Eastside Light Rail Route Under Fire

It was only a matter of time before this happened.

The chosen route laid out HERE - down Bellevue Way and then to 112th Avenue - is coming under fire from people who don't want the LINK Light Rail to run near their homes. P-I reports this morning that the opponents are starting to come out of the woodwork in general, arguing against the preferred route which would take the trains down 106th Avenue through town. A real estate agent also claims that small businesses will be destroyed by the route, a claim that I don't support.

Once again the call for using the BNSF Right-Of-Way, which hasn't been purchased by the Port Of Seattle quite yet, in place of the route going down Bellevue Way. Both routes end up back at the same place at SE 8th Street, but the concern I have is that the right-of-way route bypasses any chance of having a rail station at the South Bellevue Park&Ride.

Discussions are ongoing. It's no wonder why our big projects around here take forever to complete. We'll have to see how this one plays out in the next few months, as the planning stages for the line become more advanced.