BELLEVUE, Wash. - A million dollars per mile. That's how much King County will pay to keep an existing Eastside Rail Corridor in the public's hands.
In his last news conference as King County Executive, Kurt Triplett announced today he has authorized the use of $26 million in voter approved Conservation Fund money to seal the public's ownership of a 25-mile rail line running from Renton to Woodinville.
The line was most recently used by Burlington Northern Santa Fe to move freight. King County Council members hope its next use will be to move people on commuter trains and trails.
"This agreement will fulfill our promise to the region that the Eastside Rail Corridor will receive long-term protection from development and that it will be available for recreational uses," said County Executive-elect Dow Constantine.
When the Port of Seattle and King County first worked out a deal to buy the line from the railroad it was during good economic times. The Port hoped to use it to move freight and it still does.
Then County Executive Ron Sims wanted it to become an unprecedented urban bike and walking trail. But other council members and vocal residents rose up to keep the options open for some kind of mixed rail and trail corridor.
That's where it remains after today's announcement. It is still unclear how the track right-of-way will be used but now the County can guarantee it will not be broken up for many different uses by private companies.
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