The Bellevue City Council on Monday resumed study of options for lowering costs on segments of the East Link light rail project that run through Bellevue.

Bellevue has been working with Sound Transit since early last year on ways to shave project costs in order to reduce the city’s contingent $60 million funding contribution for a downtown tunnel.

Last week Sound Transit published new environmental information related to the cost-saving alternatives. Residents and others who want to learn more about the options, and comment upon them, have the following opportunities:

• Cost Savings Open House from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at Bellevue City Hall, co-hosted by the City of Bellevue and Sound Transit.
• Public Hearing on cost savings options during the Bellevue City Council meeting, which starts at 8 p.m. Monday, April 15, at Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE.

In addition to the public events, the council at its April 8 meeting will consider a proposal for a high-occupancy-vehicle lane on Bellevue Way, and recommendations on which of the cost-savings ideas should be incorporated into the East Link project. Then, at its meeting on April 22, councilmembers could choose which options to endorse, and the Sound Transit Board will make a final selection at its meeting on April 25.