The Bellevue City Council recently voted 4-3 to approve a non-binding Term Sheet concerning light-rail routes in Bellevue. I voted against it and would like to explain why.
It was not because I oppose the downtown tunnel or to obstruct light rail. The minority voted no because we had inadequate information and because the term sheet did not give Bellevue the assurance that Sound Transit will address and mitigate the impacts light rail will bring to our community.
The majority of the council adopted B7 as its preferred light-rail route because it appears to be the one that has the least impact to our community and residents, requires the least mitigation and as a result it should ultimately have the least cost. To date Sound Transit has failed to adequately study this alignment and options to connect it to the South Bellevue Park & Ride.
We appreciate ST’s responsibility and its desire to build the light rail system on time and within budget. But we want it done in a way that protects our neighborhoods and our roads. This is why we recommend B7 and C9T.
The B2M and C11A do not protect the neighborhoods or our roadways. It is not acceptable to elevate a train on a tight curve over a quiet single family neighborhood. It is not acceptable to take Bellevue’s roadways for light rail without maintaining traffic concurrency.
Working cooperatively along Bellevue’s preferred alignments, Sound Transit will be able to have stations in its preferred locations, but with tracks in locations that work for Bellevue. This is a reasonable compromise.
Some Sound Transit board members me they have heard conflicting opinions from Bellevue regarding alignments. Ultimately it is the City Council alone that represents Bellevue. We are elected to represent the people of Bellevue and we are accountable to them. We make the decisions for the city, right or wrong, good or bad. We have chosen B7 and C9T.
I have lived in Bellevue for 43 years and have served as a councilmember for 16 years. I was just elected to represent the people of Bellevue for another four years. It’s my job to know the people of Bellevue and be accountable to them.
Sound Transit’s responsibility is to get light rail to the Eastside within its budget. My responsibility is to protect Bellevue from light rail’s impacts and at the same time help you design a quality system through our city. By working cooperatively we can each accomplish our goals. As a team, we can get it done.
If we don’t work as a team and squabble amongst ourselves instead, I can guarantee we won’t get this done. B2M/C11A is not a sign of cooperation from Sound Transit. It is quite the opposite.
Bellevue has demonstrated its willingness to work with ST cooperatively. We ask that it reciprocate. Choose the B7/C9T as your preferred alternatives and none other, and together we will work cooperatively to refine the alignment to protect our neighborhoods and roads, maximize light rail ridership and bring the costs within Sound Transit’s budget.
Conrad Lee is a member of the Bellevue City Council.
