Going in the heart of downtown Bellevue is imperative. Then, from the stop at the South Bellevue Park & Ride, South Bellevue, Newcastle, Renton, Issaquah, etc, residents will use the Light rail to do their business downtown.

Let’s think about the future. Bellevue is going to be a big downtown with lots of activities for teenagers and young adults and many more day workers. This means there will be a lot of traffic, cars, pedestrians, etc.

If we think about the kids, they are going to spend a lot of time downtown. We as parents, are going to either drive them downtown or let our kids drive themselves downtown. Unless there is a very good way to go downtown.

A light rail going in the heart of downtown Bellevue is the best thing. The longer it travels underground the better. It would be a SAFE way, a FAST way, and a NICE way to go downtown.

I read that the Bellevue City Council is favoring bringing the light rail with the BNSF alignment. It doesn’t make any sense. It will be so far away from downtown that another bus will be needed to go downtown. Who (especially the kids) will be inclined to take the light rail if it means a bus transfer? They will have to wait for another bus outside. It will take longer than if they took the car (too long, too bad, unsafe).

Now, about a tunnel option. The longer the better. A tunnel is the safest way to go downtown. It is away from traffic.

A tunnel is the fastest way to go downtown. An underground light rail will not be caught in traffic, especially when there is an accident, heavy rain or snow.

A tunnel is the nicest way to go downtown – if and only if, the tunnel goes in the heart of downtown. When you wait for transportation in a tunnel, you are away from the bad weather (rain, wind, cold, icy sidewalks and streets, snow, heat, etc)

If we keep the tunnel small, yes it is cheaper, but a longer tunnel means less disturbance to the surrounding residential neighborhoods, a faster route, a safer route and a nicer experience.

I am personally concerned that if the city is going for a bad light rail route design (BNSF or far away light rail, or little tunnel) we will be paying for a service we won’t want to use. I would rather pay a little bit more and get something out of it.

Stephanie Lemieux, Bellevue