Comments on: A Very Quick Overview of Why R8A Matters to You http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/ Transit in the Greater Seattle Area Fri, 25 May 2012 08:08:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Senator Swecker vs. East Link - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-96860 Senator Swecker vs. East Link - Seattle Transit Blog Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:01:41 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-96860 [...] We’ve written about this in the past, and I’ve read a lot more of the history in the meantime. [...]
[...] We’ve written about this in the past, and I’ve read a lot more of the history in the meantime. [...]

]]> By: The Conservative Choice is Surface - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-95081 The Conservative Choice is Surface - Seattle Transit Blog Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:22:04 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-95081 [...] I-90 bridge is feasible using existing technology. We could be hearing: “I don’t like the R8A project and won’t raise a finger to support [...]
[...] I-90 bridge is feasible using existing technology. We could be hearing: “I don’t like the R8A project and won’t raise a finger to support [...]

]]> By: The Cross-Lake Battle That Already Ended - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-75016 The Cross-Lake Battle That Already Ended - Seattle Transit Blog Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:29:55 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-75016 [...] capacity from new HOV lanes in each direction. In March, we pointed out that the federal government funded our center lanes expressly to be converted to rail transit. The state has borrowed those lanes for [...]
[...] capacity from new HOV lanes in each direction. In March, we pointed out that the federal government funded our center lanes expressly to be converted to rail transit. The state has borrowed those lanes for [...]

]]> By: Do You Need Another Reason? - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-69885 Do You Need Another Reason? - Seattle Transit Blog Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:23:50 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-69885 [...] of course, is front and center in the fight against building light rail on [...]
[...] of course, is front and center in the fight against building light rail on [...]

]]> By: The I-90 Fight Continues, And The State Is Losing - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-58784 The I-90 Fight Continues, And The State Is Losing - Seattle Transit Blog Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:38:45 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-58784 [...] to Bellevue and Overlake is planned to replace the current I-90 express lanes. Those express lanes were built after a 1976 Memorandum of Agreement signed by several parties, including the state of Washington, to reserve them for transit. They [...]
[...] to Bellevue and Overlake is planned to replace the current I-90 express lanes. Those express lanes were built after a 1976 Memorandum of Agreement signed by several parties, including the state of Washington, to reserve them for transit. They [...]

]]> By: Go To Seattle Transit Blog And Get Angry | hugeasscity http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-37147 Go To Seattle Transit Blog And Get Angry | hugeasscity Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:58:17 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-37147 [...] East Link across the bridge.  The STB crew is doing their job on this one:  start here, or go here for the background.  And have some hard liquor [...]
[...] East Link across the bridge.  The STB crew is doing their job on this one:  start here, or go here for the background.  And have some hard liquor [...]

]]> By: Pressure Mounts on R8A, State Transit Support - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-37119 Pressure Mounts on R8A, State Transit Support - Seattle Transit Blog Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:38:41 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-37119 [...] John Jensen The Seattle PI (again, and again) and the Times have today written more coverage about R8A funding controversy that has only gotten worse in the last few [...]
[...] John Jensen The Seattle PI (again, and again) and the Times have today written more coverage about R8A funding controversy that has only gotten worse in the last few [...]

]]> By: Clibborn (and Chopp) vs. East Link - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-37107 Clibborn (and Chopp) vs. East Link - Seattle Transit Blog Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:36:53 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-37107 [...] since Sound Transit chose Interstate 90 as the preferred alignment for East Link light rail, a concerted effort to “protect” [...]
[...] since Sound Transit chose Interstate 90 as the preferred alignment for East Link light rail, a concerted effort to “protect” [...]

]]> By: Further delays for East Link in House transportation budget - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36836 Further delays for East Link in House transportation budget - Seattle Transit Blog Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:27:45 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36836 [...] their 2009 budget proposal (press release here). Not surprisingly, it includes more delays for R8A, the project that would reconfigure I-90 HOV lanes to make room for East Link Light Rail: (17) The [...]
[...] their 2009 budget proposal (press release here). Not surprisingly, it includes more delays for R8A, the project that would reconfigure I-90 HOV lanes to make room for East Link Light Rail: (17) The [...]

]]> By: Responsible Transportation Forum » Wa State Transportation Project List R8A -Missing Funding for ST2 East Link http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36367 Responsible Transportation Forum » Wa State Transportation Project List R8A -Missing Funding for ST2 East Link Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:20:12 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36367 [...] R8A, the I-90 HOV lane project that MUST be complete for East Link to be built, is completely missing. This blocks a $4.5 billion investment that we’ve already funded. [...]
[...] R8A, the I-90 HOV lane project that MUST be complete for East Link to be built, is completely missing. This blocks a $4.5 billion investment that we’ve already funded. [...]

]]> By: Legislature Blocks East Link - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36193 Legislature Blocks East Link - Seattle Transit Blog Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:19:58 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36193 [...] R8A, the I-90 HOV lane project that MUST be complete for East Link to be built, is completely missing. This blocks a $4.5 billion investment that we’ve already funded. [...]
[...] R8A, the I-90 HOV lane project that MUST be complete for East Link to be built, is completely missing. This blocks a $4.5 billion investment that we’ve already funded. [...]

]]> By: Ben Schiendelman http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36166 Ben Schiendelman Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:42:28 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36166 If I'm "way over the top" (Hi John and Martin), I get to defend myself. I recognize that sometimes people have particular things they want to see happen, and they see other things as a threat to that. I was just trying to figure out why I saw a huge difference between earlier comments and these comments, and now I think that's clear. We're all single issue voters sometimes. I certainly am. :)
If I’m “way over the top” (Hi John and Martin), I get to defend myself.

I recognize that sometimes people have particular things they want to see happen, and they see other things as a threat to that. I was just trying to figure out why I saw a huge difference between earlier comments and these comments, and now I think that’s clear.

We’re all single issue voters sometimes. I certainly am. :)

]]> By: Ben Schiendelman http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36165 Ben Schiendelman Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:40:20 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36165 Some background on those technology choices, too: http://www.soundtransit.org/x3014.xml Check out the first two docs under "Additional I-90 Studies" at the end. This has been studied every time someone wanted to block it, since the 1960s.
Some background on those technology choices, too:
http://www.soundtransit.org/x3014.xml

Check out the first two docs under “Additional I-90 Studies” at the end. This has been studied every time someone wanted to block it, since the 1960s.

]]> By: Ben Schiendelman http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36164 Ben Schiendelman Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:38:27 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36164 Initiatives are an exception. This wasn't an initiative.
Initiatives are an exception. This wasn’t an initiative.

]]> By: Publicola » Blog Archive » Well, Follow the Money… http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36146 Publicola » Blog Archive » Well, Follow the Money… Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:23:40 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36146 [...] side link. The House transportation budget will do the same thing. Seattle Transit Blog has been watching this story [...]
[...] side link. The House transportation budget will do the same thing. Seattle Transit Blog has been watching this story [...]

]]> By: Chris Stefan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36135 Chris Stefan Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:35:13 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36135 In the case of Rep. Clibborn I believe there are 3 things going on: 1. Wanting to keep the special access Mercer Island has to the I-90 bridge even at the cost of East Link. 2. A desire to revisit the transit technology choices made by ST. I'm not sure if this is a general opposition to rail or is simply an extension of #1. 3. Olympia has a giant sucking hole in the budget. Cutting things you aren't in favor of in the first place is one of the easier choices to make. Now > 50% of the voters in her district did vote for Prop. 1. But it would seem the ones with the most influence over her actions don't want to lose HOV lane access and don't want tolls on I-90. At least in certain transportation matters it would seem she has a very parochial view which is unfortunate given the committee she chairs.
In the case of Rep. Clibborn I believe there are 3 things going on:
1. Wanting to keep the special access Mercer Island has to the I-90 bridge even at the cost of East Link.
2. A desire to revisit the transit technology choices made by ST. I’m not sure if this is a general opposition to rail or is simply an extension of #1.
3. Olympia has a giant sucking hole in the budget. Cutting things you aren’t in favor of in the first place is one of the easier choices to make.

Now > 50% of the voters in her district did vote for Prop. 1. But it would seem the ones with the most influence over her actions don’t want to lose HOV lane access and don’t want tolls on I-90. At least in certain transportation matters it would seem she has a very parochial view which is unfortunate given the committee she chairs.

]]> By: Chris Stefan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36129 Chris Stefan Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:05:29 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36129 While I think it is important to have as many of the state and local elected officials in the ST district to have a positive or at worst neutral view of ST. It shouldn't be to the extent that ST is forced to do something very different than what they told the voters they would do. Ben's right, the FTA isn't going to give a flying fig what some state legislators might say. They are much more focused on the nuts and bolts of the proposal. Other than increasing risk or cost there is little a minority of legislators are going to be able to do to sway the FTA. Besides anyone who really wants to try to take on Sound Transit is likely to run smack into two local political forces of nature in the form of Sen. Murray and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.
While I think it is important to have as many of the state and local elected officials in the ST district to have a positive or at worst neutral view of ST. It shouldn’t be to the extent that ST is forced to do something very different than what they told the voters they would do.

Ben’s right, the FTA isn’t going to give a flying fig what some state legislators might say. They are much more focused on the nuts and bolts of the proposal. Other than increasing risk or cost there is little a minority of legislators are going to be able to do to sway the FTA.

Besides anyone who really wants to try to take on Sound Transit is likely to run smack into two local political forces of nature in the form of Sen. Murray and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.

]]> By: AJ http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36128 AJ Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:02:02 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36128 [deleted, topic over]
[deleted, topic over]

]]> By: AJ http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36127 AJ Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:00:18 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36127 [deleted, topic over]
[deleted, topic over]

]]> By: Martin H. Duke http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/03/24/a-very-quick-overview-of-why-r8a-matters-to-you/#comment-36123 Martin H. Duke Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:31:50 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=3318#comment-36123 Ben, "voters approved" != "public good" Exhibit A: Tim Eyman
Ben,

“voters approved” != “public good”

Exhibit A: Tim Eyman

]]>