Alternately, convert the I-90 express lanes W of Rainier to transit-only and then either build ramps down to Rainier Ave, taking out the access to the I-90 EB flyer stop from the W side of Rainier, so it would only be accessible from the E side of the road, or building an elevated structure to cross over EB I-90.

Then do the same sort of work to widen Rainier as was done to MLK Way.

You may choose to ignore the reality of the network expanding, and the extreme likelyhood that it will continue to expand, but you can’t ignore the simple reality that the past is the past.

I find your comments interesting, although Ben obviously doesn’t. Ben and I had a conversation about this offline, and I want to make it clear that his “stop it” remarks are not made as a moderator; you are not being threatened with moderation for the content of your posts.

There’s a reason the prime transit corridor through downtown Seattle was put where it is, and with downtown Bellevue becoming the hub of the east side, same as DT Seattle is on the west, they need a similar facility. Unless they don’t want to grow and compete with DT Seattle, and are content with the limits imposed by a car-centric transportation grid.

I can’t claim to understand why my comments are so annoying, but if you want me to stop, I will.

I’m just trying to make the point that the tunnel alignments in Seattle were not our only options to build light rail in Seattle. I understand if we kept the tunnel alignment and tried to replicate it on the surface it would be unfeasible; that’s not what I’m suggesting. I really don’t think anyone believes that is incorrect?

As for tunneling east of 405 I hardly see the point other than to burn huge piles of cash.

As for the Fremont/Ballard line, I’d say it has a fairly good chance of getting built as Conlin seems to feel it is his legacy project. The best thing to do at this point would be to write the members of the City Council saying you support a Fremont/Ballard streetcar line and that you support putting it on the ballot in the next two years.

As Patrick said there is a siting plan for a Eastide MF on segment E in Redmond though like segment E it isn’t currently funded.

I’ve also seen some documents discussing a possible maintenance facility on the South and North lines though again I don’t think those are funded yet.

The good news is the current maintenance facility is big enough to handle all of the cars needed for a full ST2 system build-out.

Based on the plans I’ve seen for the Northgate station there are a couple of tail tracks there for train storage but it isn’t a full train yard by any stretch of the imagination.

I would love to believe, but my faith is weak. I see a city that discontinued a profitable and important streetcar line. The First Hill line is being built by ST because they feel they promised the voters a station they are now unable to provide. I’m not convinced Seattle would build that line on their own. And the Mayor who wanted to build the First Avenue Line was defeated by the candidate who said he wouldn’t build it.

The South Lake Union line is a short line that was heavily bankrolled by a few large property owners on a street that everyone agreed was underused and overaged. Building a First Avenue line from the Seattle Center down to Pioneer Square and then out to the CD will be a lot more difficult.

Ah, who am I kidding- I don’t want to believe, I want to be convinced- and it’s going to take more than a few pretty drawings and a few words from on high to do it.