Sound Transit: debunking the anti-light rail myths

[llachglin]

Believe it or not, there are other candidates and issues on the ballot for the upcoming election. Many of the key issues and candidates at the state and local level all relate back to one issue: transportation.

Comments

[cyberduck]

Atlanta has, by comparison to Seattle, a very well developed mass transit system, including some light rail. The trains work VERY well and are a very popular option. The only thing that's slowed their deployment down here has been the NIMBY attitude some cities/areas have taken.

I think I might be a little concerned about a floating-bridge based train, but it's about the only way to make the whole plan make sense.

[llachglin]

I-90 was engineered with light rail in mind. 520 was not, which is one of the reasons I-90 was chosen. They're going to convert the current HOV lanes to rail and narrow the other lanes so that the car and bus capacity remains the same. The trains will use the existing tunnels. This cuts literally billions of dollars off the cost of getting to Bellevue. The light rail station in Overlake will be across the street from Microsoft (at 40th and 156th), though not for 15 years. By then Google might have conquered all.

Atlanta got the federal money in 1968 that was originally destined for Seattle. Seattle had an election for a system called "Forward Thrust," but the rules at the time required a 60% supermajority. A majority voted for the plan, but not a supermajority. So you can thank Seattle for the spiffy system you enjoy!