"The Port of Seattle has completed purchase of a rail corridor from BNSF Railway for $81 million after nearly two years of negotiations.
King County plans to build hiking and biking trails on the line south of Woodinville. BNSF donated the southern portion of the corridor between Woodinville and Renton and the Redmond Spur that goes through the City of Redmond." Full article.
"'The port's goal has always been to preserve the corridor and place it in public ownership and we've accomplished that goal,' said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani said in a statement. 'I'm grateful to BNSF for their willingness to work with the port, and to our partner agencies for joining us in the effort.'
King County Executive Dow Constantine said 'this acquisition preserves an irreplaceable asset, addresses growing transportation needs, and provides the chance to expand our regional trail system.'" Full article.
Memorandum of Understanding from the Port here.
Link to PowerPoint about the corridor here.
Your Tax Dollars at Work:
"Will the operator provide commuter rail service?
No. Commuter rail is not included in this proposal. King County citizens will have the opportunity to provide feedback on all uses, including commuter rail, during the upcoming public process. In addition, the Puget Sound Regional Council and Sound Transit are conducting a feasibility study for commuter rail service to the Eastside.
The Sound Transit package on the November ballot contains $50 million partnership contribution toward development of commuter rail for the Eastside; the Port expects that one or more parties will come forward with proposals depending on the results of the PSRC/Sound Transit study.
Any agreements for operation of freight rail will require that future commuter rail be accommodated."
So the line right-of-way is now there. More money needed to make the commuter rail happen.
Good times.
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