Eastside Rail CorridorInformational Open House

June and July 2008

Photo credits:  Lorrie McKay, Office of the King County Executive, and King County Department of Natural Resources 

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Open House Schedule

• June 12 ─ Snohomish

• June 18 ─ Woodinville

• June 25 ─ Bellevue

• July 9 ─ Kirkland

• July 10 ─ Renton

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Tonight’s Presentation

• Corridor acquisition

• Freight, rail-banking and trail uses

• Regional agency activities

• Future regional public process on corridor use

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Eastside Rail Corridor Goals

• Place regional asset into public ownership• Preserve corridor for public access trail and

transportation uses• A public/private partnership for regional mobility

and economic vitality• Engage in robust and thorough public process

about the corridor’s future use

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Corridor Characteristics

• Over 100 years old

• Over 40 miles from north Renton to Snohomish (including Redmond spur)

• Up to 100 feet wide; varies throughout

• Primarily single track rail

• Highly diverse geography: urban/rural; residential/commercial

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Corridor Segments

Uses proposed to federal Surface Transportation Board (STB):

• North: Freight use• South: Rail banked, public

access trail• Potential for excursion train

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Corridor Key Dates

2003 BNSF proposed divesting of corridor2006 Multi-agency “BNSF Corridor

Preservation Study”2007 Port Commission authorized

negotiations with BNSFMay 08 BNSF: Sale, Donation agreements

King County: Interlocal agreementSTB: filing begun

June Informational open houses

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Future Key Dates

July Complete STB filing

Sum ‘08 BNSF selection of shortline operator,with Port approval

Fall ‘08 STB approval expected: rail banking & shortline operator

Transaction closes

4Q ’08 Begin Regional Process regarding region’s1Q ‘09 interest in dual use (transportation/trail)

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Key Deal Points

Northern portion

• Port acquires Corridor from BNSF

• BNSF sells the right to operate freight to a third party operator (TPO) selected by BNSF, and approved by the Port

• Port signs agreements with TPO, providing for freight service, and likely excursion train to the wineries– After regional process, excursion train could

extend to the south, such as Bellevue

• After regional process, TPO would accommodate commuter rail, if called for

Photo:  Lorrie McKay, Office of the King County Executive

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Third Party Operator Selection• Summer 2008: BNSF to request proposals from

qualified shortline operators

• Process– BNSF produces Request for Proposal, Port

reviews– Shortline operators submit proposals– BNSF selects operator– Port approves operator– STB must also approve selection

• Excursion train operation included in proposals

Photo credit:  Puget Sound Regional Council

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Key Deal Points

Southern portion

• Port acquires corridor from BNSF

• Southern segment of corridor is rail banked; King County is the trail sponsor

• King County contributes $2 million; Port grants King County an easement for trail development

• Public process to gauge support for dual use of the Corridor (transportation/trail)

Photo credit:  King County Department of Natural Resources 

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Rail Banking

• Preserves corridor by allowing interim trail use, with future freight rail use protected

• Process– BNSF applies to abandon rail service– Owner/Trail Sponsor requests interim

trail use to preserve future freight use– STB suspends abandonment

• Passenger rail is permissible use under rail banked status

Photo credit:  King County Department of Natural Resources 

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Public Agencies Involved

• State Department of Transportation: Interstate 405 expansion, in particular Wilburton Tunnel crossing

• Legislature’s Commuter Rail Feasibility Study by Sound Transit & Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC)

• Sound Transit 2 package: “Partnership Demonstration contribution”

• Federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) comment period• Port/King County host regional public process to determine

dual uses• King County Trail Master Planning

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Looking SouthboundWashington StateDepartment of Transportation

• BNSF abandoned trackage over Interstate 405 at Wilburton (2006)

• Rail corridor right-of-way property remains in tact

• WSDOT funds available to build crossing for trail

• Rail can be reconstructed in future

WSDOT I-405: South Bellevue Widening

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Commuter Rail Feasibility Study

Sound Transit / PSRC feasibility study (SHB 3224)• Purpose: to determine if BNSF line can be a meaningful

component of region’s future transportation system Geographical extent of service

Existing rail lines and planned usage Station location Ridership projections Cost for adjacent trail Identify most beneficial, cost-effective sections

• Complete by late 2008 for report to state legislature

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Port / County Regional Process Proposal

Ongoing: Coordination with King County, Snohomish County, Sound Transit, PSRC and Eastside Transportation Partnership (ETP)

June Port Eastside public informational open houses

Fall ‘08 Complete STB process; acquire corridor

4Q ‘08- Public process to gain input on uses of corridor1Q ’09

Spr ‘09 Staff recommends uses to Port Commission

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