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Yesterday, Sound Transit and the Port of Seattle announced they finalized Sound Transit's purchase of 1.1 miles of former BNSF Railway Co. track in Bellevue, Wash., for construction of the East Link light-rail line, as well as easements for future access to 37 miles of the Eastside rail corridor.

The $13.8 million purchase supports Sound Transit's plan to start construction of the East Link line. The easement will enable the agency to consider future voter-approved rail transit investments between Woodinville and Renton, Sound Transit officials said in a prepared statement. The agency would have needed to build track to support safety features and operating speeds necessary for passenger-rail service.

In addition to the easements, Sound Transit received rights to access the portion of the rail corridor in Redmond, Wash., which would allow for future construction of a light-rail extension between the city's Overlake and downtown areas, agency officials said. Last year, Sound Transit identified a route for the extension when funding becomes available.

“This transaction gets the residents of Redmond, Bellevue and the entire Eastside closer to enjoying congestion-free transportation on fast and efficient light-rail trains,” said Redmond Mayor John Marchione, a Sound Transit board member.