About this blog

My name is Bill Hirt and I'm a candidate to be a Representative from the 48th district in the Washington State legislature. My candidacy stems from concern the legislature is not properly overseeing the WSDOT and Sound Transit East Link light rail program. I believe East Link will be a disaster for the entire eastside. ST will spend 5-6 billion on a transportation project that will increase, not decrease cross-lake congestion, violates federal environmental laws, devastates a beautiful part of residential Bellevue, creates havoc in Bellevue's central business district, and does absolutely nothing to alleviate congestion on 1-90 and 405. The only winners with East Link are the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington and their labor unions.

This blog is an attempt to get more public awareness of these concerns. Many of the articles are from 3 years of failed efforts to persuade the Bellevue City Council, King County Council, east side legislators, media, and other organizations to stop this debacle. I have no illusions about being elected. My hope is voters from throughout the east side will read of my candidacy and visit this Web site. If they don't find them persuasive I know at least I tried.

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Ballard Deserves Better

The July 13 Seattle Times Traffic Lab article “City Council goes public with light-rail line plans” indicates well-founded disagreements with Sound Transit plans with the “$13 billion West Seattle-to-Ballard” line.  Ballard residents deserve better than having construction that “will likely last until nearly 2040.” 

The “Program Schedule of Baseline Projects” for Light Rail Program in Sound Transit’s latest Agency Progress Report, the June 9th release for May show light rail construction from Lynnwood to Federal Way and beyond Bellevue to Redmond are essentially complete by the end of 2024.  Ballard residents should not have to wait another 16 years for their link. 

 It’s also “unlikely” many Ballard residents will need to use the second tunnel under downtown Seattle to reach SeaTac.  Sound Transit could expedite a tunnel from 15th and Market to near Seattle Pacific University, under North Queen Ann to near Seattle Center Parking Garage, to South Lake Union and terminate at Westlake light rail station.  It could include shuttle bus routes or a short tunnel for trains from Freemont area to Seattle Pacific. 

The total distance is something like the 4.4-mile Northgate Link tunnel whose estimated final cost is $1.9B. There is no need for a 2nd tunnel as those wishing to go beyond Westlake can transfer to Central Link.  There would be no disruptions for Chinatown and Ballard residents could have light rail access 10 years sooner, at a fraction of the $13 billion.

 

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)