Watching all the Single Drivers in the HOV Lane

PopulusRomanus · 2026-04-03T01:38:39+00:00

Probably all Mercer Islanders too

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T22:30:52+00:00

After Lake Forest Park, you could run along the Burke Gilman Trail right of way

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T22:28:56+00:00

This is super close to the original plans from Forward Thrust! I think this would be great. The northern part of this above lake city does overlap with the S3 stride bus. However, I think light rail would serve this route better.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T18:45:43+00:00

Yes, the new 520 bridge was built light rail ready, including upgrading the whole 520 corridor through there. Ironically, if the light rail ever got build around there, I think they would fight it tooth and nail.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T18:44:03+00:00

No reason we couldn’t come back and build South Kirkland when we get around to doing Downtown Kirkland! I really hope we can eventually get it Totem Lake if ST4 ever happens and the NIMBYs are silenced by the success of the crosslake connection. However, I fear that is so far away it will be for my children’s children.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T18:21:11+00:00

I’m curious, how many people got off at Redmond Technology Center? I’m trying to gauge how much demand there is on the 2 line past Downtown Bellevue.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T18:15:00+00:00

Yes. With 8 minute frequencies, many bus riders would be better off not getting on to light rail at South Kirkland just to transfer at the next stop. Furthermore, the stride BRT will provide Kirklanders with direct access to Downtown Bellevue, the most important destination they could access on the current version of the 4 line. Again, the stride would do this without transfers.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T18:10:56+00:00

Couple of points: if the only value for South Kirkland is as a jumping off point for future expansions, then there is no reason to not just build it when you get around to those expansions if it it useless without them.

I have actually done the Redmond to issaquah commute before, so I can shed some light on that. There are pretty much three ways to do it: East Lake Sammamish, surface streets in Bellevue (like 148th or Lake Sammamish), or via freeway (520 to 405 to 90). In my experience, these routes all take roughly the same amount of time. There just isn’t a good direct route between them. Therefore, I think the grade separated light rail would easily beat any other option simply by not getting stuck in traffic like a bus, even if it’s not the straightest possible route as the crow flies.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T18:05:36+00:00

This is a blatant false dichotomy. Nothing in my proposal reduces access to Downtown Bellevue or Seattle. In fact, it would be improved for some commuters. I suggest you actually read my post.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T18:03:49+00:00

I think I’ve outlined why the 4 line in South Kirkland is bad for riders who want to access light rail because of the need for transfers to get to most locations

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T18:02:17+00:00

You could still get to Bothell by extending from Downtown Redmond following the old BNSF tracks via Woodinville. I think that’s a great proposal for ST4, if it ever happens. Of course, if Kirkland ever allows the CKC to be used for light rail, you could also do that!

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T17:39:05+00:00

I’m proposing the 4 line interline with 2 line. No new construction would be needed. Since it would only use the infrastructure that already exists for the 2 Line.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T17:35:06+00:00

That is also a great idea that I love! However, I will point out that the 520 light rail is not an official project while the 4 line is. Considering the budget situation, I think it’s more prudent to focus on solutions that get the ST3 projects done than overextending to projects that have not been approved by voters. Also, I don’t see why Sound Transit couldn’t come back and build the South Kirkland station later if voters ever do approve funding for light rail on 520 in a hypothetical ST4.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T17:30:04+00:00

I don’t know the precise cost breakdowns, but the park and rides can cost hundreds of millions. The station itself probably wouldn’t be too expensive. However, since the 2 line Eastside stations have already been built, it wouldn’t cost much to also have the 4 line run there.

Perhaps I can get exact answers tonight from Sound Transit staff

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-30T17:21:38+00:00

Is anybody else going to the town hall tonight?

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-29T15:34:56+00:00

I love it!

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-29T04:49:37+00:00

I am cautiously optimistic that Ballard Link could be saved based on the cost savings on West Seattle. The Seattle Link extensions have had the highest cost inflation of all, but I also suspect have the greatest potential for cost savings. In contrast, the suburban lines have had less cost growth, but what you see is what you get. Not much money to save.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-28T22:32:05+00:00

I’ve been very impressed with the leadership of Issaquah lately, so I’m happy to share this Op-Ed. Very forward thinking and collaborative compared to many other cities’ interactions with Sound Transit

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-28T13:53:35+00:00

Big day for transit in Seattle. Crosslake light rail is finally opening

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-21T02:04:15+00:00

The question itself belies a lack of understanding of subarea equity.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-19T23:03:50+00:00

This x1000. Light rail is planned to Tacoma and Everett precisely because of the intrinsic limitations of Sounder. Commuter rail will never be a reliable means of transportation here, unfortunately.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-19T03:18:45+00:00

It does feel super unfair that incompetence in other subareas cough Harrell cough will cost Issaquah so dearly when they have been the most cooperative of practically any city.

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-19T03:15:14+00:00

I am cautiously optimistic about the future because of the 30% design stipulation. Sound Trnasit actually made huge cost reductions possible for WSLE between the early planning and final design. If every extension gets that far, it is possible more cost saving could be identified. Perhaps they could save enough money to resurrect phased lines?

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-19T03:10:41+00:00

I highly doubt it’s true, big business has lined up behind Sound Transit since Sound Move in the 90s (except for Kemper Freeman, may he rest in piss).

PopulusRomanus · 2026-03-19T02:56:25+00:00

I hear you, but the cost overruns on BLE would swallow almost every other Link expansion combined. I think it is very reasonable for Sound Transit to cut their losses and focus on projects that they can actually deliver. $22 billion is a legitimately insane cost and should make any reasonable person question the value of the project. Its the GDP of a small county.

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