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Port Commission sped&(    I
Meeting of ~d3-7
Eastside Rail Corridor ~ c ~ u i s i t i d ~
I want to thank the Port for continuing to pursue the acquisition of the BNSF EastsideRail
Corridor. The Corridor has the potential of serving up to 6,000 passengers a day
according to Sound Transit's report to the Puget Sound Regional Council. That number
is high for a commuter train route and approaches the current numbers on ST'STacoma-
Seattle route.
The Port's press release yesterday wasn't specific about the closing date of the new
extension or whether BNSF still agrees to the donation of .theKennydale to Wilburton and
Redmond to Woodinville sections of the Subdivision.
Also, I've not heard whether King County has negotiated an interim trail uselrailbanking
agreement regarding these two sections of the Subdivision with BNSF. If not, the U.S.
Surface Transportation Board has decided that BNSF may abandon the two sections as
of April 25ith,next month. I have heard rumors that BNSF has been in negotiations to sell
portions of these segments for other uses.
Loss of right-of-way between Kennydale and Wilburton would eliminate potential rail
service between Auburn and U.W. Bothell as well as between Snohomish and Renton.
These two routes account for a large number of passengers in Sound Transit's report to
the PSRC.
Loss of right-of-way between Redmond and Woodinville would reduce the possibility of
passenger rail service between Issaquah, Redmond, U .W. Bothell and, ultimately, Sound
Transit's light rail line in the 1-5 corridor. This is a route that needs preserving for future
public transportation to serve a growing population.
How can the Port finance acquisition of the EastsideRail Corridor? Sound Transit's ST2
plan that passed the voters last November included $50 million "...which may be used for
engineering and design, and for purchase of capital equipment and real estate..." in the
Eastside Rail Corridor. Could the Port partner with Sound Transit in the purchase of the
Corridor?
Sound Transit has collected a significant amount of tax money in the East King County
Subarea. That money is programmed for construc.tionduring the last half of the next
decade. Until then, Sound Transit has invested these funds. But, today's economy has
limited the returns on their investments. Could the Port borrow money for the purchase
of the EastsideRail Corridor from these funds at a rate favorable to Sound Transit and
the Port?
Preservation of the EastsideRail Corridor is an investment in the future of public
transportation. With the help of Sound Transit, the Port can secure the Corridor. I hope
the Port will approach Sound Transit and ask for that help.
Thank you,
Robert Scheuerman
32 15 N 8thSt, Tacoma, WA 98406
253-752-3843, rochesch@aol.csm                      March 24,2009