Exh I
JANUARY 2009 LsouN~rmlr Pugei RIDE THE WAVE ington Northern Santa Fe BNSF) Eastside Corridor Commuter Rai Feasibility Study Background In 2008, the state leaislaturedirectedSound Transit and the Puqet Sound corridor also includes a 7-mile spur from Woodinville to Redmond. It RegionalCouncil (SRC)to complete a feasibility study to "jetermine includes 24 bridge crossings, 97.curves and 107 at-grade crossings. whethercommuter rail service between eastern SnohomishCounty and The Portof Seattle intendsto purchasethe corridor from BNSFin early eastern King County can be a meaningful of the region's 2009, KingCountythenintendstoacquirean easementalonga portion futuretransportationsystem." The study also developed a cost estimate of the corridor for a bicycle and pedestrian trail. for a parallel passenger rail and bicyclelpedestriantrail. Potential future uses of the corridor, or certain segments, may include The BNSFRailway'Ompany runs34mi'es from north passengerrail, excursion trains, short haul freight service, and a regional Renton, through Bellevue and Woodinville, and on to Snohomish.The trail. ter rail on the corridor is feasible but ents are needed to achieve higher of the track, structures, and roadway The corridorhas the potential for significant transit ridershipconnecting the regional growth centers of Renton, Bellevue, KirklandITotem Lake and Redmond, with as many as 6,000 trips per day. The capital cost estimate for passenger rail is within the range for other lines in the US. However, the costs are at the high end of that range because of the condition of the corridor and its current lack of safety and communication systems. A pedestrianlbike trail could fit within the existing right-of-way -" ^ * ^ I throughout much of the corridor. In some locations, property acquisition would be needed. The estimated capital cost for a fully improved pedestrianlbike trail south Woodinvill parallel to the rail line ranges from $297 million to $432 million, (snohomish- ent ton depending on the width of the trail. South Kirkland O Redmond Spur Llne 0 Snohom~sh-RentonLlne * BNSF Easts~deCorrtdor Under Study - Black Rlver Junctlon to Gene CoulonPark -4-b Sounder Commuter Ra~l *OtherReg~onalRa~lLlnes Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Eastside Corridor i Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Eastside Corridor crossing 1-90 south of downtown Bellevue Feasibility study assumptions estimates include broad assuniptions for track and trackbed, rail bridges, signalsltrain control/crossings, stations and right-of-way; The feasibility study builds on previous studies of passenger or and soft costs such as administration, design and environmental commuter rail on the corridor and used the following general review and constructionmanagement. The cost estimates include assumptions: significant contingencies based on the conceptual level of analysis. Upgrades were identified and costs were estimated at permanent It is possible that passenger rail could be implemented in a different passenger rail infrastructure standards including full replacement manner with a possible lower cost, but the costs in this report were of the track, ties and rail bed (a demonstration project or project estimated using methods developedby Sound Transit for its Sound implemented by private entities could be accomplished differently Transit 2 Plan and approved by an independent review panel. with potentially lower costs) Operating costs Either diesel locomotives with bi-level coaches (Sounder-type Operatingcosts are estimated at $24 to $32 million per year based vehicles)or diesel multiple units (DMUs) could be used on two-way service on the corridor with trains operating every 30 Complete signal/communication for train detection and control minutes in each direction, 16 hours per day weekdays, along with along with centralized train control were provided track and vehicle maintenance costs. All public and private grade crossings were upgraded Sound Transit 2 No new grade-separated crossings were included Sound Transit 2, the mass transit package approved by voters in November 2008, includes a $50 million capital contribution to a The condition of all 24 existing bridges was not evaluated potential passenger rail partnership. If a partnershipis not in place One small yard and shops facility is needed by the end of 2011, the funds will be re-directedto HOV/bus rapid transit in the 1-405 corridor. Sound Transit 2 does not include any The train speed, including stops, would average 24 mph additional funds for commuter or passenger rail on the Eastside Service would run twoways for 16 hoursa day on weekdays. Trains BNSF corridor. For more information about the Sound Transit 2 Plan would run every 30 minutes. and requirements related to the $50 million capital contribution, please refer to the Sound Transit Web site at: http://future. The study did not identify an optimal solution, preferred alternative, soundtransit.org/documents/ST2~Plan~web.pdf. or the lowest cost or most cost-effective option. That information would be developed in the future by an agency or group proposing passenger rail on the corridor. Capital Casts 1rSOUND TRANS^^ The capital costs for passenger rail on the entire corridor are RIDE THE WAVE estimated at $1.0 to $1.3 billion (in 20089). The capital cost
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