Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, November 7, 2007

RAIL CORRIDOR

Rails should be used for trains

 Well, it's happened. The Port of Seattle is purchasing the 42-mile rail corridor that runs from Renton to Snohomish. Make no mistake -- these are working rail lines that have been in continuous use for years. What a great opportunity to expand mass transit in the region immediately by placing Sounder trains on these rails today.

With the existing rail link between Snohomish and Everett, trains could be up and running between Everett and Renton (with stops in between) literally as soon as the hardware is available, unimpeded by freight trains, unlike the current Sounder line between Everett and Seattle. But no! The Port of Seattle is going to tear up these tracks for a nature trail, "banking" the corridor for future transit use. What future? The need is today. And virtually every rail line that has been torn up in the past has never been re-established. Sound Transit's own estimates state that light rail won't come to Lynnwood until 2027, but we could be running trains immediately between Everett and Renton!

This is yet another example why we have never been able to establish inexpensive, efficient mass transit in the region -- forget the people who live here, if it doesn't fill somebody's pockets along the way, it can't be a good idea. It's no wonder that our traffic problems are worsening, not to mention that confidence in our local governments is nearly non-existent.

Dave Martson
Marysville
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