East Link light rail project draft EIS published

Light rail is coming to Mercer Island, and Sound Transit encourages interested people to comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released on Dec. 12, 2008. The review and comment period for this Draft EIS has been expanded to 75 days, ending on Feb. 25. This Draft EIS provides information on the light rail route, station and maintenance facility alternatives. The Draft EIS informs the public and decision-makers about the project’s benefits and effects prior to identifying a preferred alternative.

This environmental review is for East Link, part of the Sound Transit 2 package of transit improvements approved by voters in November.

East Link includes the extension of light rail across Lake Washington on I-90, through Mercer Island, Bellevue, and on to the Overlake Transit Center in Redmond.

Sound Transit will hold a public hearing with an open house in Mercer Island, where the public will have an opportunity to review maps and Draft EIS, ask questions of Sound Transit staff, and submit oral or written comments on the Draft EIS.

The Mercer Island East Link Draft EIS Public Hearing Open House will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on Jan 27 at the Community Center at Mercer View. The public hearing starts at 5 p.m.

The Draft EIS and more information is available online at www.soundtransit.org/eastlink and a copy of the Draft EIS is also available for review at the Mercer Island Library. A printed copy of the Executive Summary or a CD of the Draft EIS are available free or printed copies of the full Draft EIS document can be purchased by contacting Elma Borbe at Sound Transit (206-398-5445 or elma.borbe@soundtransit.org).