2019-03-19 Transportation and Infrastructure Minutes

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Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Minutes March 19, 2019 D. BNSF Intermodal Facility access Project Update - Schedule and Next Steps Staff reported that there will be a Great Northern Corridor Coalition meeting on March 27, 2019 and BNSF will be offering tours of the BNSF South Seattle Intermodal Facility at 10 a.m. Of the five options looked at in 2016, the 48th Ave S Bridge was the preferred option, but was never finalized and Council never took action. In the same period, the 42"d Ave S Bridge was studied and found to be both structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. Questions from Greg Haffner; Will the 42"d Ave S Bridge delay the new 48th Ave S Bridge? Answer: City's 2019/2020 Biennial Budget and 2019-2024 CIP does not include funding for the 48th Ave S Bridge. Question: Would the 42"d Ave S Bridge have increased capacity and what access would be available during construction? Yes, there would be increased capacity and the new 42"d Ave S Bridge would be constructed in a different location and the old bridge would be open during construction so there would always be access. Mr. McLeod asked about the City's relationship with BNSF and was told that BNSF funded 50% of the 2016 study and there are ongoing conversations with them about noise and traffic on S 124th St. GNCC may be able to access federal funds and new funding sources for 48th Ave S Bridge as BNSF would prefer to not have their trucks travel through a residential neighborhood, so they believe the best alternative is the 48th Ave S Bridge. Councilmember Idan asked if the draft BNSF study would be completed and was told that the priority is now 42"d Ave S Bridge. The original BNSF study from 1999 looked at 10 alternatives and the second study in 2016 looked at five options. Councilmember Idan believes that there should be a larger conversation in City priorities of bridges and projects and will investigate that. Mr. Haffner stated that the Stranders own the south side of 48th Ave S and that they want to preserve the economic viability of their properties. They believe that there are equal alternatives to look at to the north of the BNSF yard and that a bridge may be a problem environmentally. Mr. Haffner also believes that the tribes are also against a new bridge at 48' Ave S. III. SCATBd/RTC There was no report. IV. MISCELLANEOUS Staff distributed a list detailing the City's capital investments in the Ryan Hill neighborhood, totaling $3.3 million since annexation in 1989. Councilmember Idan requested that this information be placed on the City's website. V. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Transportation Committee Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Committee Chair Approval vyLGL, Reviewed by HK