advertisement

---

On Monday, city of Bellevue, Wash., officials agreed to work with Sound Transit on funding issues related to a downtown tunnel alignment for the East Link light-rail project.

Sound Transit has asked the city to commit to establishing a framework to resolve tunnel funding and design issues. The non-legally binding pact would serve as the basis for a permanent agreement after Sound Transit completes a final environmental review of the project in early 2011.

Bellevue’s city council favors a tunnel instead of a street-level light-rail line through downtown to minimize traffic impacts. Tomorrow, Sound Transit's board is expected to vote on whether to include the tunnel or street-level option as the preferred alternative.

Part of a regional transit package approved by voters in 2008, the East Link project calls for extending light rail from Seattle through Bellevue to Redmond, Wash. Design work is scheduled to be completed in 2013 with construction expected to start in 2014. Light-rail service to Bellevue could begin in 2020.