The Sound Transit board has set a new path for its planned light rail expansions by embracing a plan that would split a light rail station in the heart of the International District into two smaller stations north and south of Chinatown that proponents say would be less disruptive to the communities and small businesses of the area. But the split would have repercussions up and down the city including eliminating the planned Midtown Station near 4th and Madison that would serve as a relatively nearby access point for the neighborhoods of First Hill.
The governing board voted 15-1 Thursday to pursue the “North of C-ID” option hinging on a last minute proposal backed by King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell that will create one of the likely twin stations at 4th and James. Another south of the ID would also be required to manage the future light rail traffic flows as the system branches out to Ballard and West Seattle. Continue reading