Published September 30 2015
Also, planning for the future of Metro Transit
On Monday evening the City Council was briefed on the upcoming construction phase of the East Link light rail project. The extended study session included updates and discussion from Sound Transit and city staff on a range of topics including:
- Operations and Maintenance Satellite Facility -- Sound Transit and city staff are currently coordinating the future transit-oriented development potential of the BelRed location. The Sound Transit Board will make a final decision on the location of the facility by Oct. 22.
- Construction -- Sound Transit provided an update on potential construction scheduling, indicating the first construction work, at the south portal of the downtown tunnel, is scheduled to begin in early 2016. Sound Transit also noted that much of the other East Link construction will begin within the next two years.
- South Bellevue Park-and-Ride -- Sound Transit is working on a replacement parking strategy for the South Bellevue Park-and-Ride closure, estimated to begin in the fall of 2016.
City staff also presented the maintenance of traffic plan for Bellevue Way Southeast during East Link construction and discussed local and regional construction outreach.
Update on Metro's long range transit planning
Earlier, councilmembers were presented with a progress update on King County Metro's Long Range Plan by the agency's Deputy General Manager Victor Obeso. The plan forms the basis of Metro's growth for the future and anticipates the region's transit needs through 2040. In addition to a stakeholder outreach process, the plan takes into account the city's 2014 Transit Master Plan. The plan is expected to be adopted by the King County Council next fall.