19/11/2015
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/eastside/kirklands-rapid-transit-plan-along-corridor-draws-opposition/
The Eastside Rail Corridor is a gem of 44 miles of 100 foot right away. There is plenty of room for a trail and transit options. Our Puget Sound traffic situation is the top priority of the entire region. There are more environmental reasons to get cars off the road then allowing another place for people to walk. The CKC was never meant to be a greenbelt, Sound Transit has rights along with other entities. One of the most interesting solutions would be to run a rail system like the SMART system in Sonoma-Marin. They have a similar rail line that is now a trail and runs quiet and efficient trains. These are not the expensive light rail or the noisier heavy rail. It is like a quiet bus on rails. This would be less obtrusive to neighbors along the route while getting cars off of the Kirkland side streets. Kirkland residents are frustrated with the traffic along their roads. This is a solution and not keeping the CKC as a trail only. Please think long-term and not be side-tracked by a few citizens short-term thinking. While the ETA focuses rail north of Totem Lake, tonight's Kirkland event could be important tfor the entire region. The rail could also be used for excursion north of Totem Lake.
Kirkland bought its six-mile section of the Eastside Rail Corridor and built a bike path that residents compare to the Burke-Gilman Trail. Now a city proposal to get bus rapid transit added to the 100-foot corridor is drawing opposition from residents.
