East Link

On Sunday, KING 5 TV’s Up Front program, hosted by Robert Mak, will be covering the East Link debate in Bellevue and will be centered on recent claims made by the pro-B7 Build a Better Bellevue group which allege that Sound Transit deliberately made B7 look worse.  In response to the claims, ST staff have prepared answers/rebuttals which will be released in the Final EIS next spring.

You can watch Up Front this Sunday on KING 5 at 9:30am or 11:30pm (if the Seahawks are more important), on KONG 6/16 at 11am, or NWCN at 8pm.

[Update 5:14pm:] Commenter Joshua Kelley says that another broadcast is on KONG 6/16 at 10:35pm so looks like you’ll have chances to watch it day round.

26 Replies to “KING 5’s Up Front to discuss East Link debate”

  1. Here’s my crazy prediction:
    ST presents hard data.
    BaBB presents opinions, feelings, desires.
    Media/Moderator treats both sides as equally valid.

    1. Sunday morning is definately the best time to broadcast this debate. The folks at Build a Better Bellevue don’t deserve more than that.

      My crazy prediction: This has little to no effect on the final decision, and Sound Transit moves forward with their functional East Link Alignment.

      2. No one will watch it in the morning. A vast amount of people will be out watching the Seahawks game (including myself)

        But I do have it set to record =)

  3. Wonder they will assert? the program is taped.
    well, B7 could be improved. It has a smaller P&R than those on Bellevue Way SE; it could be modeled with one of the same size. of course, we would be better off spending the funds on something else any way. The 118th Avenue SE station could be shifted to SE 8th Street for better bus-Link transfers. Additional routes could be restructured to serve the station. if B7 were built, Route 550 and the South Bellevue P&R could continue to serve riders up until opening date. The construction cost of disruption to current service is important as it ocurrs early in the stream of benefits and costs and is discounted less in a net present value analysis, if the Board thought in that way.

    1. if B7 were built, Route 550 and the South Bellevue P&R could continue to serve riders up until opening date.

      All of the recent park & ride rebuilds have had temporary stops and alternative park & ride arrangements made – there is no reason that a B2M with a complete shutdown and rebuild of SBPR would not have the same.

  4. The BBB claims on costs are based on two false claims. The first is that you can use the existing railbed without expanding it. Under the railbank law it must accommodate the possible return of frieght. This is where the bike trail would go. In the B7 corridor you need to have room for tracks both ways and the bike trail. They also act like crossing the sensitive wetlands of Mercer Slough is a piece of cake.

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  7. Thanks for the heads-up on “Up Front.” The final minutes of the segment carried something absolutely priceless: a project opponent, a nice old man with a white beard and a brown jacket, explaining the real reason for his opposition. Something like this: “And also…trains sometimes bring into the neighborhood people you don’t necessarily want there.”

    Now quibblers could point out that an exit from an Interstate a few blocks from his house makes it possible for the Medellin Cartel’s Chief of Security to be back in Miami with this man’s whole home entertainment system after a brief business visit, days before the crime is discovered.

    But recalling when “Almost Live” was still on the air, I fully understand the clear and present danger. By the time Eastlink opens, the South Lake Union Streetcar may very well get to Ballard. At present, a ’69 Chevy II with its seat belt dragging on the pavement can’t make Surrey Downs, especially going fifteen miles an hour and using all the lanes on I-90 and 405. But a streetcar ride to Westlake and LINK to Wilburton P&R, and the streets of Bellvue will be awash in tobacco juice.

    And fashions at Bellevue Square will be set by old guys in plaid shirts and ancient fishing vests and hats with diesel engine logos. I’m glad the media finally let this Bellevue tell his side of the story! Everybody should be sure to watch tonight.

    Mark Dublin- Present Route 17 and future Streetcar and Eastlink passenger

    1. Mark, this is priceless. This was a thinly veiled summation of the real problem here – the opponents in Surrey Downs won’t actually use this system, so all it represents for them is an intrusion by people like those that ride the bus: homeless, stinky, crazy, packing – out to steal their stuff and do them harm. What’s really interesting are all the residents of surrey Downs and Enatai who favor the system, but won’t speak up because of their neighbors’ emnity and false beliefs.

      1. I am one of those that lives in Bellefield Residential Park, and my unit is the immediate one next to 112th, Which would have the most impact out of all or nearly all of the residences along the 112th route.. No other units sit as close as I do and my neighbour upstairs from me… Let me be absolutely clear, that I DO NOT Represent or have any direct connection with any comments made by the homeowners association. Nor do I have any association with their viewpoint. I am stating a fact for my own viewpoint clearly and simply… Therefore that we cleared up who I am speaking for I am strongly in FAVOR of the 112th plan for Sound Transit Eastlink connection with the line running along the entire “WEST” side of 112th. This would reduce the cost significantly and allow for more funds to be applied to the tunnel and their is almost 95% agreement among homeowners directly impacted along this route to sell to ST for the benefit of having greater parkland adjacent to the route… Call it what you may but this has been indicated to ST many times with a computer model that was done by Bill
        Thurston of the Bellevue Club…. I hope this clears up any concerns that we who are affected have not spoken up.. Mr. Rosmann’s viewpoint is of no concern to us and he is only ONE voice.. and we have never met the man nor do we need to meet him….. Respectfully submitted ……. S. Goldmanis

  8. “There have been numerous studies that suggest that, uh, light rail makes it easier for some folks who are not always… welcome [ nervous laughter ] because of their personal intents uh, to, uh… it makes it easier to get here” – Joseph Rosmann of Build a better Bellevue

    Ah, the old light rail brings scum and criminals to our hallowed neighborhoods canard.

    It’s safe to say that criminals can get to Bellevue just fine today using buses, stolen cars, or even bikes I suppose. I’d love to see these studies that Mr. Rosmann refers to.

    1. I heard that too when I watched it this morning. They should have led the segement off with that quote rather than making it the last word.

    3. In Response to the studies poported to have by Mr. Rossmann… There are none and Never have had any studies of this type that show his direct concerns and if someone was to do this kind of study it would also have been done for the existing ST routes in Seattle.Non-existent. Again, time and time it shows what level of credibility we are continually dealing with, That come from Mr. Rossmann.. It carries no weight in this process from him what so ever…..S Goldmanis

  9. Well, you’ve got to admit this argument makes more sense than the one about noise. The real danger is that someone could get hit by LINK because crossing bells and train horns are drowned out by I-405.

    By the way, meant to say “Bellevue resident” or some such thing. The old bi-focals, you know…

    Mark Dublin

    1. The noise arguments make more sense to me since they are based, somewhat at least, on facts. The problem with those arguments, however, is the BBB solution. They advocate for a plan that eliminates lower impacts to a smaller number of single family homes and creates higher impacts to larger number of condo and apartment dwellers. I guess those people who live on 118th are just “unwelcome” in Bellevue even though they are residents and taxpayers.

      I also object to Mr Rosmann’s characterization of the trail on 118th as equivalent to the trail that is to be created on the rail line – they are absolutely not equivalent. Also, isn’t WSDOT on the hook to rebuilt a bridge for the rail line if the railroad wants to restart the line? The Up Front episode indicated that the railroad would have to rebuild the bridge.

    1. Velo Bus Driver: You are correct on all fronts, but one must ask the question about Mr. Rosmann’s nonsensical comments? Where does one come up with these concerns? and what previous experiences does he have that contributes to this kind of thinking??? One can only guess and wonder.. but I agree with your viewpoint and support it totally.. Thank you for weighing in from a direct participants point of view… S. Goldmanis

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