East Link light-rail is a key piece of the drive to bolster downtown areas and link major communities in King County, Executive Dow Constantine told political and business leaders Tuesday.

Constantine outlined some of his beliefs on major transportation projects in both Seattle and Bellevue that could shape the future in his speech, “One King County, and a Tale of Two Cities,” given to the Bellevue Downtown Association.

“If we don’t build light-rail on the Eastside, we not only break our pledge to voters, but we fail future generations,” he said.

Constantine pointed to East Link and the ever-controversial deep-bore tunnel project in Seattle as key issues in the development of urban centers. Both projects have increasingly vocal opponents that Constantine said want to stop the plans even if it leads to greater congestion.

“We must acknowledge that a car-only culture, the mirror image of the vision of that faction in Seattle, is simply not consistent with our vision for the future,” he said. “And it’s not how we prepare our region for the greatness we can, and should, achieve.”

A solid, dependable transit system that links the many cities in the county will be paramount to its success, he said. Without such a system, and some of the projects above to help build that system, the end-game is more congestion. This congestion then pushes people out of downtown and leads to sprawling suburbs that Constantine said do nothing for the success of the county.

“Regions that allow or even encourage sprawl drive financial and intellectual capital first into the suburbs, and then to states with more dynamic and vibrant urban communities,” he said. “It is a cautionary tale.”

Constantine cited the counties around Las Vegas and Detroit – both about the same size as King County. Detroit was once the automobile capitol of the world, and it has since slumped, losing 25 percent of its population. It failed to plan ahead and adapt to future needs. King County’s focus on attracting business and talent will make sure such a downfall never occurs.

“These professionals represent the future,” he said. “They will stay here, and grow businesses here, and attract other employers to the region where government is a thoughtful facilitator and planner, not an impediment to progress.”

Nat Levy can be reached at 425-453-4290.