1. Eastside Rail Corridor Informational Open House June and July 2008 Photo credits: Lorrie McKay, Office of the King County Executive, and King County Department of Natural Resources

2. 2 Open House Schedule June 12 ─ Snohomish June 18 ─ Woodinville June 25 ─ Bellevue July 9 ─ Kirkland July 10 ─ Renton

3. 3 Tonight’s Presentation Corridor acquisition Freight, rail-banking and trail uses Regional agency activities Future regional public process on corridor use

4. 4 Eastside Rail Corridor Goals Place regional asset into public ownership Preserve corridor for public access trail and transportation uses A public/private partnership for regional mobility and economic vitality Engage in robust and thorough public process about the corridor’s future use

5. 5 Corridor Characteristics Over 100 years old Over 40 miles from north Renton to Snohomish (including Redmond spur) Up to 100 feet wide; varies throughout Primarily single track rail Highly diverse geography: urban/rural; residential/commercial

6. 6 Corridor Segments Uses proposed to federal Surface Transportation Board (STB): North: Freight use South: Rail banked, public access trail Potential for excursion train

7. 7 Corridor Key Dates 2003BNSF proposed divesting of corridor 2006Multi-agency “BNSF Corridor Preservation Study” 2007Port Commission authorized negotiations with BNSF May 08BNSF: Sale, Donation agreements King County: Interlocal agreement STB: filing begun JuneInformational open houses

8. 8 Future Key Dates JulyComplete STB filing Sum ‘08 BNSF selection of shortline operator, with Port approval Fall ‘08 STB approval expected: rail banking & shortline operator Transaction closes 4Q ’08Begin Regional Process regarding region’s 1Q ‘09interest in dual use (transportation/trail)

9. 9 Key Deal Points Northern portion Port acquires Corridor from BNSF BNSF sells the right to operate freight to a third party operator (TPO) selected by BNSF, and approved by the Port Port signs agreements with TPO, providing for freight service, and likely excursion train to the wineries –After regional process, excursion train could extend to the south, such as Bellevue After regional process, TPO would accommodate commuter rail, if called for Photo: Lorrie McKay, Office of the King County Executive

10. 10 Third Party Operator Selection Summer 2008: BNSF to request proposals from qualified shortline operators Process –BNSF produces Request for Proposal, Port reviews –Shortline operators submit proposals –BNSF selects operator –Port approves operator –STB must also approve selection Excursion train operation included in proposals Photo credit: Puget Sound Regional Council

11. 11 Key Deal Points Southern portion Port acquires corridor from BNSF Southern segment of corridor is rail banked; King County is the trail sponsor King County contributes $2 million; Port grants King County an easement for trail development Public process to gauge support for dual use of the Corridor (transportation/trail) Photo credit: King County Department of Natural Resources

12. 12 Rail Banking Preserves corridor by allowing interim trail use, with future freight rail use protected Process –BNSF applies to abandon rail service –Owner/Trail Sponsor requests interim trail use to preserve future freight use –STB suspends abandonment Passenger rail is permissible use under rail banked status Photo credit: King County Department of Natural Resources

13. 13 Public Agencies Involved State Department of Transportation: Interstate 405 expansion, in particular Wilburton Tunnel crossing Legislature’s Commuter Rail Feasibility Study by Sound Transit & Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Sound Transit 2 package: “Partnership Demonstration contribution” Federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) comment period Port/King County host regional public process to determine dual uses King County Trail Master Planning

14. 14 Looking Southbound BNSF abandoned trackage over Interstate 405 at Wilburton (2006) Rail corridor right-of-way property remains in tact WSDOT funds available to build crossing for trail Rail can be reconstructed in future WSDOT I-405: South Bellevue Widening

15. 15 Commuter Rail Feasibility Study Sound Transit / PSRC feasibility study (SHB 3224) Purpose: to determine if BNSF line can be a meaningful component of region’s future transportation system  Geographical extent of service  Existing rail lines and planned usage  Station location  Ridership projections  Cost for adjacent trail  Identify most beneficial, cost-effective sections Complete by late 2008 for report to state legislature

16. 16 Port / County Regional Process Proposal Ongoing:Coordination with King County, Snohomish County, Sound Transit, PSRC and Eastside Transportation Partnership (ETP) JunePort Eastside public informational open houses Fall ‘08Complete STB process; acquire corridor 4Q ‘08-Public process to gain input on uses of corridor 1Q ’09 Spr ‘09Staff recommends uses to Port Commission

17. 17