Re: “West Seattle light rail costs soar again” (Sept. 11, Local News):
Mike Lindblom, Seattle Times transportation reporter, highlighted the exorbitant, ever-increasing cost to extend light rail to West Seattle. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. To think the Sound Transit Board would even consider spending nearly $8 billion for 4 track miles to reach West Seattle is unconscionable. My 8-year-old granddaughter can even tell me that equates to $2 billion per mile.
Somebody is trying to pull the wool over our eyes by promoting this pipe dream that moving people who otherwise could use Metro rapid transit is worth spending, not millions, but billions of dollars. Kudos to Seattle City Councilmember and transit board member Dan Strauss for standing up and exercising a voice of common sense when he says “no.”
Sound Transit executives continue to miss the mark when estimating project costs, apparently believing that we as taxpayers will continue to support their projects and bail them out. It’s past time to hold them accountable and tell them “no.” Just close your eyes and envision what “good” could come from redirecting $8 billion toward something that could really change lives for the better.
Dennis Olson, Seattle
