Description/History of BNSF Corridor
The Eastside Rail Corridor currently owned by Burlington
Northern and Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) consists of a 42-mile rail corridor
stretching from the city of Renton to the City of Snohomish with an additional
eight-mile rail spur running between the cities of Woodinville and
Redmond.
In May 2008 the Port of Seattle, BNSF Railway and King
County signed an agreement that will result in the Port’s acquisition of the 42
mile Eastside rail corridor from BNSF for a purchase price of $107 million. BNSF
has applied to the Surface Transportation Board to railbank the portion of the line
south of Woodinville. The Port is purchasing only the portion of the line from Snohomish
to Woodinville for freight and excursion rail use.
According to two independent studies commissioned by the Puget Sound Regional Council and
Sound Transit the condition of the rail is very poor. The rail is primarily single-tracked
and rests on a very curvy (97 curves) rail bed. There are 24 bridges and 107 at-grade crossings
where the rail track intersects with existing streets and roads.
Both studies conclude that the corridor would have limited
rail transit benefits in the next 20 years due to excessive costs, safety
issues and environmental impact.
The Petition
We the undersigned, support efforts to convert the rail-banked sections of the BNSF Eastside Rail Corridor
to a multi-use pedestrian and bicycle trail for recreation and commuting. The Eastside Trail Corridor winds through the five communities of
Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville and Redmond and has striking views of Lake Washington, the Olympic and Cascade
Mountain Ranges, and the urban centers of Seattle and Bellevue. By preserving this
corridor for pedestrians, bicyclists, and nature lovers of the Puget Sound
region, we guarantee future generations will enjoy the benefits of a ribbon of quiet,
green oasis in the midst of modern development as well as preserving options
for transportation in the future. This type of trail has
been shown to contribute to the positive economic growth of the communities
along the trail as well as to the improved health and general well-being of the
citizens of those communities.