I would like some explanation of how the former Burlington Northern rail line, now known as the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC), is being considered as a commuter bus line.

For decades this former rail line was used for freight only. Historically, the line was used sparingly. Since moving to Houghton in 1986 I have experienced freight trains of no more than 20 cars, usually more like five to 10 cars, passing a few times a week at very low speeds. It’s my understanding that the city of Kirkland had imposed a speed limit on those trains of less than 20 miles per hour within the city limits.

For several years the dinner train ran along the corridor from Renton to Woodinville. It would pass by once a day during the week and twice a day on weekends. Again, at very low speed.

How can we go from very infrequent and slow moving freight trains to a walking and biking trail and then suddenly to an open highway for commuter buses? The proposed Rapid Ride bus, I assume, will travel at a much higher speed than the freight trains ever did and at a frequency of every few minutes.

This seems to me to be a change in land use. How can the city make this proposal to Sound Transit without first going through a public process? I know of no public hearings (though there have been some informational presentations) on this matter and I am not aware of an EIS having been done.

City officials and council members have said that this corridor has always been considered a motorized commuter transportation option and the Rapid Ride bus proposal should be of no surprise to anyone. I am not sure how that can happen. Just because Sound Transit included some arbitrary self serving easement reservation on a deed to the city of Kirkland, can the corridor now be used for any mode of transportation they  please? By some magic wave of a pen by the city planning department this corridor is now designated for high volume commuter bus traffic?

I thought this was a rail line. Not a highway for buses.

Approving buses on the CKC seems to me to be a little bit like allowing a 20 unit apartment building on a lot zoned multifamily but that has previously only been improved with a four-plex.

In either case, there is a significant negative impact on the neighborhood. The neighborhood deserves an opportunity to participate in this process. Most users of the trail that I have talked with view the proposed bus use on the CKC as being imposed upon us with little or no participation in the process. I have heard some in authority on this matter state that this is nearly a done deal.

I would like to encourage Sound Transit, the city of Kirkland and Kirkland City Council to reject the proposed use of Rapid Ride buses on the CKC.

Rich Jones, Kirkland