Why is there so much opposition to Sound Transits plan to bring light rail to the Eastside via the I-405 floating bridge?
There are a number of reasons. One is that it could be very disruptive of long established residential neighborhoods south of downtown Bellevue. Another is potential problems with converting the two center lanes on the I-90 floating bridge to rail. One such problem is the possibility that it could actually reduce overall passenger capacity on the bridge because only a few trains could be allowed on the bridge at one time due to weight restrictions. Another objection is the fact that Sound Transit has overlooked the most important and least cost corridor for rail transit on the Eastside, which is the I-405 corridor. Moreover, Sound Transit’s plan calls for completion of the line through Bellevue by the year 2027 and to downtown Redmond at some unspecified date after that, which is a long time to wait.
