I read in a recent edition of the Seattle Times that Sound Transit had agreed to supply $132 million in voter-approved funds to launch a new First Hill Streetcar. Its funny, I don’t recall seeing that item on the list of projects Sound Transit asked voters to approve (which Bellevue voters in 41st and 48th districts rejected) in 2008.

Sound Transit’s new found interest in streetcars would seem to offer Bellevue the option of funding for a South Lake Union style streetcar system as part of the development of the Bel-Red area. A single lane track could circle through the area between Bel-Red Road and Northeast 24th Street and between 116th and 140th avenues Northeast. Streetcars could make multiple stops along the route with frequency adjusted to meet demand. Bus connections at 116th and 140th could facilitate access to transportation throughout the area.

The streetcars would be far less expensive and more esthetically appealing than current light rail plans. The multiple stops and two east-west routes would provide better accessibility than the two light rail stations along a single route. Its construction could be timed to match with Bel-Red development rather than light rail decisions. The 140th eastside boundary eliminates the need for unsightly and expensive overpasses to minimize north-south traffic impact.

Bill Hirt, Bellevue