Background

There is a fairly complicated plan involving several agencies that would result in acquisition by King County of an Eastside rail corridor that would then be converted into a trail for bicyclists and foot users.

There is considerable opposition by people that do not want to see a conversion to a trail because they believe that the line can be put to use as a light rail line. They fear that if the route is converted into a trail that it will never be used for light rail.

There are also people who propose using the existing single track for commuter use using self-propelled diesel-powered passenger rail cars.

A complication is that the Washington State Department of Transportation plans to begin work soon to widen Interstate Highway 405 (I-405) and this work will require removal of a portion of the tracks in the area of the area of the Wilburton Tunnel, south of downtown Bellevue.

News

BNSF TO CUT RAIL LINE (February 28, 2008) — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad has announced that during the next week it will remove one mile of track in the Eastside Corridor. The track will be removed in the area of the Wilburton Tunnel south of downtown Bellevue. This rail removal is associated with a plan by the Washington State Department of Transportation to demolish the Wilburton Railroad Trestle in order to widen Interstate Highway 405.

My Opinions

My opinion is that if a monorail is built along this line, there will still be plenty of room underneath for a trail. It may also be possible to retain a single track that could be used for the Dinner Train that used this route until mid-2007. Depending on the width of the right of way, it may also be possible to build two tracks for commuter use by light rail or other rail vehicles. More about my proposed Eastside Corridor Monorail.