What’s happening in District Four -- May 2008

Sound Transit completes 14-plus miles of continuous light rail track

Board Member Larry Phillips was on site to celebrate Sound Transit’s milestone of laying the last segment of track on the 14-mile Link light rail line under construction between Downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. Boardmembers took part in “hammering the golden spike” signifying the completion of the fourteen-plus miles of continuous light rail track. Read more.

Learn more about Link light rail.

Phillips calls for overhaul of King County Investment Pool

After a Council-appointed advisory panel urged “rapid and forceful action” to address “significant deficiencies” in the management of the $4.5 billion King County Investment Pool, Councilmembers Larry Phillips and Bob Ferguson introduced legislation to examine implementing reforms in the governance and operations of the pool. Read more.

Learn more about King County’s Investment Pool.

Council Approves Agreement for Rail and Trail on Eastside BNSF Corridor

The King County Council unanimously approved a historic agreement with the Port of Seattle that will bring the BNSF Eastside Rail Corridor into public ownership.  Under the agreement, the Port of Seattle will pay $107 million to BNSF Railway to acquire the 42-mile Eastside Rail Corridor, and King County will pay the Port $1.9 million for a 26-mile trail easement that runs from Renton to Woodinville and includes the segment known as the “Redmond Spur.” The existing railroad tracks will remain in place while the public weighs in about the best use for the corridor. Read more.  Read a letter from All Aboard Washington.

County to Explore Electric Vehicle Plug-In Stations at Park and Rides

In a move to reduce the county’s carbon footprint and assist in a new wave of transportation options, the King County Council requested a study on ways King County can provide charging stations for the next generation of hybrids called Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). The study will look at the potential of turning county park and rides into "plug and rides" with installation of electric hybrid vehicle charging stations. Read more.

Read Councilmember Phillips' op-ed on global warming.

Council Advocates for Rebid of Federal Tanker Contract

The King County Council joined local elected leaders across Washington state to oppose the award of a major Air Force contract for aerial refueling tankers to the European-based Airbus consortium. It is estimated that, if awarded to the Puget Sound-based Boeing Company, the $35 billion contract could have added more than 9,000 family wage jobs and $400 million to the Washington State economy. Read more.