Exhibit BElements of Mutual Benefit 
Overview 
Project Description 
This project will improve the final 1,700 foot segment of the
M Street Corridor, which is a regionally significant principal
arterial connection between Washington State Routes 167
and 164 (Auburn Way South) through Auburn, King County
Washington.  The M Street Corridor connects regional and
manufacturing growth centers, serves local and regional
destinations, and provides an essential freight mobility link. 

This project is located on M Street SE between 3rd and 8th 
Streets SE in the vicinity of the Washington State Route 18
overpass and the at-grade BNSF Stampede Rail crossing in
Auburn. The project includes lowering M Street SE below the
existing BNSF railroad, constructing a new railroad bridge,
widening the roadway from 2 to 5 lanes, and adding bicycle
lanes and sidewalks.                                            M Street SE  Existing Conditions 
View 
Project Need 
This project was identified in the 1997 Auburn Stampede Rail
Traffic Impact Study as necessary to mitigate the impacts
from BNSF expanding operations on the Stampede Pass rail
line. The study identified that up  to 22 daily trains may
operate in the future on the Stampede Pass line and create
perpetual gridlock throughout the City and on nearby State
highways.  M Street SE has also been identified as a Freight
Action Strategy (FAST) corridor project.  FAST is a multiagency
coalition dedicated to improving freight mobility
throughout the Puget Sound Region and mitigating the
impacts of freight movements on local communities.

Project Benefits
Completing the M Street SE Grade separation will not only
improve freight mobility for train and truck traffic, it will also                            M Street SE  Proposed 
eliminate the significant traffic back-ups that overtax the
City's arterial streetsystem.  These backups impact emergency vehicle access, the 53 daily school bus crossings,
residential and business driveways, and local neighborhood streets.  The project will also provide secondary benefits
that include improved travel times; reduction of cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets; air quality along the
corridor; and beautification of one of Auburn's key gateways. 
By separating this existing at-grade/street-rail crossing from the railroad safety will be substantially improved.
Replacement of the at-grade crossing eliminates the possibility of fatalities and injuries that often result from collisions
between trains, vehicles, and pedestrians. It also eliminates blocking delays that cause traffic congestion/delays,
reduces the intrusive noise from train horns and automatic warning devices, and will improve emergency response
times. 
M Street SE  Grade Separation 
Exhibit B-1



M Street SE Grade
Separation  Project Site 



M Street SE Grade Separation
Vicinity Map 
M Street SE Grade Separation 
Vicinity Map 
M Street SE  Aerial View 

Status Update 
Design is 80% complete and is expected to be complete by next spring (2011). ROW Acquisition is 30% complete and
is expected to be complete by next spring (2011). Property management of acquired homes will include demolition as
needed for safety and security. All design and ROW funding is secured. 
The entire construction is anticipated to last between 18 and 27 months (depending on train volumes). Train volumes
impact the construction costs and schedule significantly as many key work elements must be limited or stopped when
trains cross.  Constructing the project while train volumes are down, due to the recent economic downturn, could
result in a shorter construction duration and significantly lowered construction costs. Assuming funding is secured,
construction is scheduled to start late next year (November 2011). 

City of Auburn Contacts 
Jacob Sweeting, Project Manager, City of Auburn 253.804.5059  jsweeting@auburnwa.gov 
Carolyn Robertson, Government Relations Manager 253.931.3096  crobertson@auburnwa.gov

Exhibit B-3