(See 12/11/07 Update below)
The Seattle papers are full of controversy about plans to convert the 42-mile BNSF railroad tracks between Renton and Snohomish into a bicycle trail. Is anyone surprised?
The county executive for King County said he wouldn't fund construction of a trail on the right-of-way if the tracks aren't torn up first.
Some, like the Cascadia Center at Discovery Institute, say the tracks should be left in place to upgrade the north-south corridor for passenger rail service. The freight line tracks, still in occasional use, run right along highly congested I-405.
Backbone
The county executive, Ron Sims, is interested in creating the rail-trail as the backbone for a bicycle trail network in King County. The county already has more than 175 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
The cost of building that trail, estimated at $44 million, would rise to between $160 million to $230 million if the county can't use the railbed that's already in place but has to build the trail alongside.
On the flip side, the Discovery Institute hired a railroad consultant who said the tracks could be upgraded to handle small diesel commuter trains for $37 million. While that math seems to run in favor of trains, it doesn't include purchase of the trains, construction of stations, or replacement of a bridge.
Higher costs
When the Puget Sound Regional Council studied the idea, they put the cost at $300 million. Further, the PI reports that BNSF officials have said in the past that the tracks couldn't handle regular use.
Where did all this come from? There's a proposal for the Port of Seattle to buy the corridor from BNSF for $103 million and lease it to the county for light-rail and bike-hike trail. The trail comes first.
12/5/07 Update: The Cascade Bicycle Club, which supports the use of the BNSF as a trail and commuter rail line, points out some flaws in the Cascadia report:
1. The trail would more than a “recreational trail.” It would be used by bicycle commuters and the right-of-way would be there when there's money for a commuter rail.
2. Rail would be allowed to return to the corridor after a trail is built.
3. The Cascadia's cost estimates for a rail are “more than suspect.”
The Cascade Bicycle Club tells how to contact the Port Commissioners to urge them to complete the purchase in a way that makes the trail feasible. Check out the CBC's Call to Action.
12/11/07 Update: County Executive Ron Sims, who had set last Friday as a deadline, is continuing to negotiate to ensure that parts of the RR line will be used as a trail. According to the Seattle P-I, Sims chief of staff Kurt Triplett said:
“What they proposed is essentially various options — part trail, part rail and trail — and we are trying to evaluate it. It's conceptual, but we're hopeful — our main concern was not being able to put a trail in anywhere.”
The aim is to reach an agreement that can be presented to the Port Commissioners next Tuesday.
More background:
Report: $37 million to save eastside train, Seattle Times
Eastside commuter rail an affordable regional asset, Cascadia Center
Eastside rails to trails deal in jeopardy, Seattle PI
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