An overlooked tragedy of the arrival of the light rail on Bellevue Way and 112th Avenue is the financial damage to those that will loose their homes. Many of the residents along 112th have homes that are paid for.

“Just compensation” does not mean that these residents will realize enough to buy an equivalent dwelling elsewhere. Thus they will have to obtain a mortgage at a stage in their lives where they thought they would own their homes. How will they be compensated for this problem?

One of the objectionable things associated with light rail is the visual blight of the train system itself. For those who may have objected to cellular towers, light rail is much worse. There is no way to camouflage the tracks and overhead feed system for the train.

The trees and grass expanses along 112th and South Bellevue Way form a park-like setting as an entrance to Bellevue. The overhead feed system of the train is ugly and can’t be disguised.

The road way from the “Y” to Southeast Eighth Street is a pleasant way to arrive in the city. That pleasant arrival will be destroyed forever. It will give an industrial look to the street and there is no way to hide it.

It is doubtful that the planners of this system of streets said to themselves that it would look better if it had an overhead wire suspension system. And the train itself is ugly. If for no other reason, this is a reason to use the B7 route.

Also, the neighborhoods of Surrey Downs and Enatai will have to bear the noise, traffic, filth, inconvenience and visual blight of the construction phase only to be handed more of the same.

The overhead system requires maintenance that will require the use of the street by the maintenance trucks. The noise from the train will render yards and patios useless during the summer when people want to be outside.

Finally, one of the most attractive parts of the city will forever be known as “that section down by the tracks.”

The new wears out quickly but ugly is forever.

Tom Twiggs, Bellevue