MEMO TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
SUBJECT:
title
Approval of the Downtown Redmond Light Rail Extension Transit Way Agreement Amendment
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Approve an amendment to the Downtown Redmond Light Rail Extension (DRLE) Transit Way Agreement (TWA) between the City of Redmond and Sound Transit to allow part of a structural support wall next to the Overlake Village Station pedestrian bridge to be located in the 152nd Ave. NE right-of-way (ROW) (see Attachment A).
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II. DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Malisa Files, Finance Director 425-556-2166
Terry Marpert, Real Property Specialist 425-556-2428
III. DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND
The DRLE TWA is one of five agreements (shown in the diagram below) executed with Sound Transit to facilitate completion of the light rail extension to Downtown Redmond. It was adopted by the City Council on July 16, 2019 and authorizes Sound Transit to locate the Ease Link light rail line within ROW shared with several City streets in the DRLE alignment between NE 40th St. (Overlake) and Downtown Redmond.
Key provisions of the TWA:
1. Allow Sound Transit to construct, operate, and maintain the light rail transit system in City rights-of-way (ROW);
2. Commit the City to minimizing impacts to light rail operations when working within the ROWs;
3. Commit Sound Transit to operating light rail in accordance with federal, state, and local laws including City ordinances and standards; and
4. Is in effect as long as the transit corridor is used for public transportation purposes consistent with all permits and approvals.
The TWA does not cover light rail operations in the E360 alignment between 148th Ave. NE and NE 40th St. This is because the light rail line is located in its own exclusive guideway, so there were no light rail/street ROW conflicts. However, Sound Transit built a structural support wall next to the Overlake Village Station that is partially located in the 152nd Ave. NE ROW. The wall supports a non-motorized connection between the Overlake Village Station, the pedestrian bridge over SR 520, and a pathway west to 148th Ave. NE.
The purpose of the TWA amendment is to allow part of the structural support wall to remain in the 152nd Ave. NE ROW.
Five Agreements Between the City of Redmond and Sound Transit
IV. PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS HELD
April 20, 2020 Council Committee of the Whole (FAC)
V. IMPACT
A. Service/Delivery:
None.
B. Fiscal Note:
None.
VI. ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
There are limited alternatives to approving the TWA amendment other than allowing the Sound Transit support wall to remain in City right-of-way without authorization.
VII. TIME CONSTRAINTS
Approval of the proposed TWA amendment should occur prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the Overlake Village Station in Summer 2020.
VIII. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - TWA Amendment
Attachment A, Exhibit A - Location of the Structural Support Wall