Re: “Sound Transit examines the cost of making South Seattle crossings safe” [July 11, A1]:
I’m dismayed to see Sound Transit continues to sidestep the plain want for absolutely trenched/elevated tracks within the Sodo and Martin Luther King Jr. Method South corridors.
The lack of leaders to resolve this highlights the continued disparities in security and funding priorities between the traditionally underserved South Seattle neighborhoods vs. the remainder of town.
A value of $1.7 billion to improve a rail system is modest compared to transit budgets spent on car-centric infrastructure.
Contemplate how pricey and disruptive the $5 billion Freeway 520 mission to Redmond and $3 billion Alaskan Method revamp have been. But they’re framed as worthy sacrifices of time and taxpayer cash.
Nevertheless, in relation to investing in safety-essential rail infrastructure for South Seattle residents, metropolis commitments and pocketbooks find yourself falling brief.
Put this in distinction to our northern neighbors in Vancouver, B.C. Since 2021, B.C. Transit has efficiently sectioned off giant swaths of its Broadway hall for an additional main Skytrain enlargement. Certainly Sound Transit and Seattle can do the identical.
I’ve been a resident and avid person of each Vancouver and Seattle’s public transit programs. Leaders ought to take notes from our Canadian compatriots: Put money into neighborhood security and rail.
Madison Jones, Seattle