Transportation Issues Archive

Federal Funding

>> FTA announces that the FFGA for Link Light Rail is on an indefinite hold until Rep. Istook's concerns are satisfied. - Seattle Times, Sept. 11, 2003

>> Rep. Ernest Istook writes a new letter to FTA formally disapproving the Central Link Initial Segment FFGA (PDF of letter). - Sept. 10, 2003

>> Second letter from Rep. Ernest Istook to FTA - This letter from Congress informs FTA that the response to date from FTA and Sound Transit to the recommendations in the July 7 Inspector General audit report is insufficient. Congressman Istook wants more details on the I-776 contingency plans of Sound Transit. Also, this letter makes clear that the legally-required 60 day review of the FFGA won't begin until the concerns expressed in this letter are addressed by Sound Transit and FTA. - July 28, 2003

>> 10 elected officials ask FTA to insist on details of Sound Transit programs to be cut to fund light rail - July 24, 2003

>> Letter from Rep. Ernest Istook expressing disapproval of FTA's intent to execute full funding agreement in 60 days, citing lack of compliance with Congressional directives. - July 15, 2003

News coverage: $500 million for light rail not assured - Tacoma News-Tribune, July 17, 2003 New woes for light-rail funding - AP, July 17, 2003 Congressman blocking light-rail funds - King County Journal, July 16, 2003 Not So Fast! House Majority Leader Objects To Federal Sound Transit Funding - KOMO 4, July 14, 2003 Seattle PI editorial: Sound Transit still not on track - July 17, 2003

>> Seattle PI editorial: Light rail money not Dunn deal - July 16, 2003

From U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn's statement: "While we should all be pleased that the IG took the time to review the project, many questions still exist regarding the impact of potential cost overruns and the true effect this may have towards relieving traffic congestion."

News coverage from The Seattle Times, The Seattle P-I, KING5, and KIRO TV

>> Lawmaker: Light-rail funding not a sure thing - "I don't think anyone should treat this as a done deal or think all the decisions have been made, or all questions have been answered," says Rep. Ernest Istook, chair of a key committee involved with federal funding for transit projects. - Seattle Times, April 28, 2003

>> Sound Transit is Now "Moving Dirt" for Link Light Rail Before Securing Essential Federal Funding - Public Interest Transportation Forum, updated April 26, 2003

>> Many Hurdles Yet Before Sound Transit Receives Federal Approval - CETA Press Release, February 3, 2003

>> Sound Transit progress not news yet - Seattle PI columnist Tom Shapley, January 24, 2003

>> Flowchart of Federal review process shows decision on Link unlikely before August 2003. (Also in GIF format.) - November 26, 2002 (See PITF for more on FFGA process.)

>> Despite the demolition, still no Federal OK to begin Link - John Niles, Sept. 26, 2002

>> U.S. Rep. Jennifer Dunn: Light-rail system 'makes no sense' - Eastside Journal, Aug. 16, 2002

Initiatives

>> Eyman files initiative to stop light rail: 197,734 signatures needed statewide to get on November ballot. See coverage in:
    - The Seattle Times
    - Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    - Puget Sound Business Journal
    - Sound Transit Press Release

Governance

>> List of ST boardmembers and when they are up for election - March 16, 2003

Monorail

>> An I-5 monorail offers an alternative to light-rail plan - Puget Sound Business Journal guest editorial by Jeffrey Boone, Michael Godfried and Folke Nyberg, January 31, 2003

>> Group pushes suburban monorail - The Seattle Times, January 11, 2003

>> Sights set now on a monorail for all of county - Seattle PI, November 20, 2002

>> Seattle Times op-ed recommends shifting light rail funds to monorail - Nov. 1, 2002

>> Downtown Seattle Association study favors monorail over light rail

>> Ken Shram commentary on KOMO: The I-5 Monorail Just Might Work (July 30, 2002) Support For I-5 Monorail Has A Healthy Pulse (July 31, 2002)

>> Another '60s revival: running a monorail along Interstate 5 - Seattle Times, July 30, 2002

>> RTA Plan Seems to Authorize Monorail as a Form of "Light Rail" - from the Public Interest Transit Forum