BDA Inbox

Q. Will downtown get a tunnel for light rail? How much would it cost?

A. The Sound Transit 2 expansion plan passed by voters in November 2008 did not include funding for a tunnel in Downtown Bellevue, which is estimated to cost an additional $500 to $700 million (in 2007). Three tunnel options were studied in the East Link Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Each has signifi cant tradeoffs in short-term construction impacts, as well as longer-term benefi ts and impacts in travel times and overall system access and ridership. The Bellevue Downtown Association Board of Directors has endorsed a deep-bore tunnel that would run under 108th Ave NE with stations at East Main, the Bellevue Transit Center, and the Ashwood/Hospital area.

The Sound Transit Board of Directors is expected to choose a preferred alignment in April 2009. If a tunnel is ultimately selected by the agency, then Sound Transit, the City of Bellevue and other community stakeholders would need to identify additional funding sources. Cost savings from other segments of the East Link expansion could help close the gap. More information is available online about the East Link Project DEIS and the downtown tunnel alternatives at soundtransit.org/eastlink.

The BDA staff welcomes questions and comments about Downtown Bellevue, BDA events, transportation and livability issues. Email inbox@ bellevuedowntown.org, and include your name and city or neighborhood and if you agree to your question and name being published.