It’s necessary to clarify some of the assertions that Bellevue City Council member Conrad Lee made about light rail.
1) The majority of council approved the term sheet 4-3. That is now a council position and helps Bellevue move closer to securing the tunnel that is so critical to downtown. The Sound Transit board adopted the B2M/C9T line as the preferred line by the count of 18-0. Yes, 18 of the region’s highest ranking local, regional and state officials. As such we should not get fooled into thinking that Bellevue is a regional transit governing body. We’re not.
2) The B7 line cannot make claims it “protects neighborhoods” as it is the only line that calls for the demolition of residences and businesses along 118th Street, displacing families, business owners, and employees.
3) Related to mitigation, the B7 line is the most intrusive to the Mercer Slough – calling for the digging of a trench the length of I-90 through the middle during construction. Also the proposed siting of a rail station at SE 4th St. and 118th Ave. SE has its own environmental and logistical challenges. This is due to the finite space in the area that also contains a fish ladder, new water retention pond, and recently widening of both the I-405 on- and off-ramps and 118th Street. This at best leaves a station footprint not big enough to afford commuter parking and bus/vehicle access for pick-up and drop-off.
4) The B7 line is the most expensive and offers the lowest ridership – two of Sound Transit’s most important criteria in assessing light rail alternatives. And while it has been evaluated, there is no clear, efficient way for the B7 to stop at the south Bellevue Park & Ride – a vital transit hub that serves not just Bellevue residents, but other commuters from Newcastle, Mercer Island and Renton.
5) Finally, the B2M/C9T decision was an important victory for Bellevue. It afforded us the tunnel we so desired and need to service our downtown. And, as with any compromise, you have to give a little to get a little. Like Councilmember Lee, most agree that B2M/C11A is not a good alignment, so let’s make sure that we do not lose the tunnel.
We need light rail to best serve Bellevue – all of Bellevue – not just a neighborhood or specific constituency group. It is time to put the politics aside and – as a community and council – move forward, work together, and start discussing how to get the most out of Sound Transit.
B7 is not the conversation we need to have – the focus needs to be on ensuring we keep the tunnel, the mitigation, Sound Transit’s financial contribution and having accessible, affordable, efficient light rail service. The sooner we embrace this notion, the better.
Michael Marchand, Bellevue
