This
whole imbroglio over attempts by the Bellevue City Council to reduce costs for
implementing a tunnel underneath downtown Bellevue is a self-inflicted
wound. Sound Transit needs city
approval of 9 different permits to begin light rail construction. The BCC can and should make these
approvals contingent on getting the light rail route they want.
Build
a Better Bellevue announced intentions to sue ST because they violated federal
environmental law by not considering a tunnel that would have eliminated BCC
concerns. Taxes generated on the
eastside provide about 40% of ST funds, more than enough to pay for whatever
route the BCC wants.
It’s
noteworthy that on the same day BCC reached an “agreement to study” cost
cutting options ST announced they were planning to use a tunnel to connect UW
and Northgate. ST, which demanded
the BCC come up with an additional $200 million for a tunnel under downtown
Bellevue and refused to even consider a tunnel from P&R, violating
environmental law, decided that tunnels in Seattle were worth the additional
cost. A good part of which is paid
for by Bellevue taxes.
Unfortunately,
arguments over light rail route through Bellevue are like arguing which side of
the Titanic is safer. The 1-90
bridge outer roadways will never have the capacity to accommodate the vast
majority of commuters who won’t have access to light rail. When light rail finally begins operation
in 2023, most riders will be those with access to the South Bellevue P&R
who previously rode the bus. Not
exactly a boon to cross-lake congestion.
No comments:
Post a Comment