King County Executive: News release

July 11, 2005

King County poised to negotiate on Eastside rail corridor

King County Executive Ron Sims today praised council approval of $3.8 million in earnest money needed to begin negotiations with BNSF Railway Company for acquisition of a 47-mile rail corridor running from Renton to Snohomish County.

Sims sought the funding to secure exclusive rights to negotiate acquisition of the Eastside rail corridor, which starts in Renton and runs through Newcastle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville and into South Snohomish County. As a publicly owned corridor in an urban area, the route offers wide-ranging possibilities for use and is a valuable public asset.

"I would like to congratulate the council for recognizing the incredible opportunity before us to keep this rail corridor in public ownership," said Sims. "By preserving this critical transportation corridor through the heart of our major Eastside cities, we will retain an increasingly valuable public asset that will help us continue to accommodate our region's growth.

"The expanse and location of the rail line makes it one of the Eastside's most important transportation corridors and its possible acquisition a historic opportunity. It provides an excellent opportunity for us to work in partnership with Eastside cities, Snohomish County and the public to meet the needs of our residents in a way that transcends geographic boundaries.

"It is important that a community dialogue happens about the best uses of the corridor and I am committed to making that happen in the coming months and years. Purchasing the rail corridor will give the public the opportunity to help determine what the ultimate uses should be. Only though public ownership can we offer public choice."

In the coming months, King County will conduct an appraisal to help determine a fair price for the corridor. Most of the $3.8 million will be refunded to the county if an agreement is not reached with BNSF Railway Company.

Prompted by increasing maintenance costs and declining freight revenues, BNSF Railway Company began seeking a buyer for the rail corridor as early as fall 2003. In January 2004, at the request of the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Puget Sound Regional Council began an evaluation of the potential benefits of preserving or purchasing the rail corridor. The evaluation is currently underway and King County will use this information as it evaluates acquisition of the corridor. BNSF Railway Company initiated discussion with King County in the fall of 2004 about purchasing the Eastside rail corridor. King County's right to exclusive negotiations lasts through August 31, 2005.