The purchase of a 42-mile railway corridor east of Seattle this week sets in motion an undertaking that could result in a bike trail, or light rail line, or both.
The corridor runs between Renton and Snohomish and serves dense suburban areas on the eastern side of Lake Washington.
Originally envisioned as a bike trail that would link to the regional trail system, it's also being considered as the backbone for a Eastside light rail line.
The corridor passes through woodsy lakeside neighborhoods, above, and over the 975-foot-long Wilburton Trestle (circa 1904) just south of downtown Bellevue, below.
The Port of Seattle paid $81 million to BNSF Railway for the corridor, a healthy discount from the original purchase price quote of $103 million about a year ago.
Thirty-three miles of the corridor between Renton and Woodinville, including a 7-mile spur to Redmond, lie in King County.
The north section, between Woodinville and the town of Snohomish in Snohomish County, will continue to be used for freight service. A bike-hike trail could be installed through that corridor as well.
King County wants the corridor to link the various parts of its 175-mile regional trail system. Some envision that portion to be used for passenger service as well, with a bike-hike trail running alongside.
The Port of Seattle rail corridor map shows how different parts of the corridor can fit into regional freight and passenger rail service and link into the regional trail system.
In a press release, the Port of Seattle named its partners in the project: King County, Sound Transit, the City of Redmond, Puget Sound Energy, and the Cascade Water Alliance.
The Seattle Times reports how each partner may play a part in the final plan:
• King County will pay up to $26.5 million to acquire most of the abandoned rail line in the county, with the intention of eventually building a trail.
• Sound Transit is negotiating to pay up to $14 million to buy one mile of the corridor in Bellevue for possible light-rail use and for rights to operate passenger rail through the King County portions of the corridor.
• Redmond plans to buy the 3 ½ miles of the corridor within its boundaries for up to $9 million, to help knit downtown streets and utilities together and to provide a new trail route.
• Puget Sound Energy and the Cascade Water Alliance will negotiate purchase of utility easements. A price has not been announced, but sources said the combined cost to the utilities will be about $25 million.
There are currently 15,064 miles of rail-trails open in the US. The state of Washington has more than 800 miles of rail-trails.
In 2005, the Federal Highway Administration published a report entitled Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned. It reviewed case histories and current practices.
1 comments
Rail with trail is the best way to do things. It’s inclusive and forward thinking!