I posted an article on my Kirkland blog the other day about the re-emergence of the plan to convert the BNSF railroad tracks on the Eastside to a walking trail. From this photo I took when the Dinner Train was still running, you can see there is room for both a trail and the tracks. The trail would be a wonderful amenity that can benefit the entire Eastside. With the addition of these miles of trails, the Eastside would have the largest trail system in the country. The trail is projected to run from Renton on up to Woodinville and would connect the Sammamish River Trail and the Burke Gilman Trail. The plan would not eliminate a future train line, but would allow for a trail system that could be used by many Eastsiders.
The rails to trails programs have been in place for several decades.
Opponents have been trying to preserve the tracks, believing the cost would be about $30 million dollars to upgrade the rails and could be acccomplished in 60 days. My issue with this plan has always been focused on the locations for station stops and the parking. Since the train line basically follows alongside residential areas, crosses streets, and runs by schools, it is difficult to imagine where the stations and parking would be.
Any thoughts on whether you think the trails idea is a good thing?
Eastside Real Estate Buzz
Although I admit not to know a lot about this Debra, I know there are already many, many miles of underutilized trails here on the Eastside. Meanwhile, if the people eventually decide that light rail is a real solution to traffic problems, it seems that using an existing rail system (or at least the land and right of ways that it’s on) would make more financial sense that building a new one – which would also rip up existing neighborhoods.
It would be nice to have both, but in my opinion, the number of people eventually served by rail would be much larger than those who might use additional trails.
Hi Joe,
Thanks for your comment. I understand what you are saying, however, the existing rail line follows so many residential areas, it seems it would be impossible to make it totally safe. The tracks cross many roads, homes, and are near schools. It seems like it would make more sense to have something follow along 405.