Sound Transit releases East Link SDEIS

Sound Transit has released its Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for East Link Light Rail, which includes further data on Bellevue's preferred route along the BNSF rail corridor. (Scroll down to see the statement's executive summary)

In South Bellevue, Sound Transit continues to back the B2M option, which has the route going 112th Avenue Northeast, a route opposed by nearby property owners in the Surrey Downs neighborhood. The Bellevue City Council voted 4-3 earlier this year to support the B7 alternative, which routes the rail away from the Surrey Downs neighborhood and through the BNSF rail corridor.

According to the SDEIS, this route is more costly, and has a greater impact on environmentally sensitive wetland areas, while also taking on fewer boardings than the B2M.

According to the statement, the B2M would not displace any businesses, but would require the acquisition of one residential unit. The B7 unit would displace five businesses and 180 employees, according to the SDEIS.

The Bellevue council voted last month to green-light further study of its preferred alternative, in order to give Sound Transit a better picture of the ways the council believes the B7 is superior.

The SDEIS listed two preferred alternatives for downtown Bellevue, with an underground tunnel (C9T) as the optimal option. But Sound Transit and the City of Bellevue must first find enough funding or reduce costs to an adequate amount before an underground tunnel can happen.

Members of the public may comment on the plan by emailing eastlink.sdeis@soundtransit.org. A public hearing will be held Nov. 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bellevue City Hall to discuss the SDEIS.

EL SDEIS Standalone Executive Summary Final

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