Centennial Trail Link to King County Trails One Step Closer

News from the Everett Herald:

County Council OKs purchase of rail corridor

"A plan to link tourist trains, bike and foot traffic through the city of Snohomish took a step forward Monday, when the Snohomish County Council green-lighted the purchase of a 11-mile-long rail corridor.

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The agreement clears the way to buy a section of the Eastside Rail Corridor from the Port of Seattle for $5 million. Money for the purchase comes from conservation futures grants the county approved earlier this year."

Also in the Seattle Times:

Rail-corridor purchase preserves freight service, could link trails

“This action will preserve and improve on a very important regional asset,” said Council Chair Stephanie Wright. “Maintaining freight service, while preparing for our future commercial, recreation and transportation needs is an opportunity we must pursue.”

The website BikingBis by Gene Bisbee has some photos and a map showing this rail corridor.  Mr Bisbee has also done some research on this topic.

This rail corridor has been a regular topic updated by Snohomish County Parks and covered in other trail news: Planning Long Distance Trails for the Future.

Key points previously noted are that: 

• Snohomish County recognizes that there are active businesses on this rail line that rely on the rail traffic.  
• The county sees the opportunity to develop a trail that is compatible with the rail use of the same corridor.  
• Some parts of the future trail would probably run along existing boulevards.  
• When open, this link would connect the Centennial Trial with existing trails in King County and create a travel route all the way into Pierce County.
• Future uses of the rail for freight or a tourist train or commuter trains are independent of Snohomish County Park's desire to create the recreation trail.  These other developments would depend on private industry, not County Parks.