FAST Corridor: $782 million in freight mobility improvements
Although it's not part of the RTA, the plan for rail crossing improvements is almost as ambitious. The Freight Action Strategy for the Seattle-Tacoma Corridor (FAST Corridor), led by the Washington State Department of Transportation, calls for a more efficient means of transporting freight from local ports through congested urban areas.
The vision for a dedicated rail corridor includes more than 40 separated grade crossing projects on existing tracks in Seattle, the Green River Valley and Tacoma. As part of the first phase, DOT officials have identified 11 high-priority grade crossings at a cost of $253 million, and 9 moderate/high priority projects at a cost of $136 million.
Funding depends on a successful partnership among local, state and federal agencies in addition to private sources such as Burlington Northern Santa Fe. Expect to see FAST Corridor priorities discussed in the effort to raise the state gasoline tax next year.
FAST Corridor advocates argue the project is needed to keep pace with Southern California's Alameda Corridor. Without freight mobility improvements, supporters warn the Puget Sound region could lose its one-day shipping advantage over Southern California ports. Supporters of the project include King County Executive Ron Sims who led a delegation of local officials to Alameda in June 1997. After the trip, Sims announced support for design funds for three South King County grade crossings
The DOT is preparing an official web site for this project. Watch this space for an announcement.
High priority projects ready to begin
| Project | Est. Cost |
| Royal Brougham/SR 519 (Seattle) | $100 million |
| East Marginal Way (Seattle) | $19 million |
| South 180th Street (Tukwila) | $12 million |
| South 277th Street at BNSF line (Auburn/Kent) |
$12 million |
| South 277th Street at Union Pacific line (Auburn/Kent) |
$12 million |
| Southwest 3rd Street (Auburn) | $22 million |
| Shaw Road Extension (Puyallup) | $15 million |
| 8th Street East (Pierce County) | $10 million |
| North Canyon Road Ext. (Pierce County) | $6 million |
| Port of Tacoma Road (Tacoma) | $23 million |
| D Street (Tacoma) | $21 million |
| TOTAL | $253 million |
Moderate/high priority projects ready to begin within six years
| Project | Est. Cost |
| Broad Street (Seattle) | $25 million |
| Lander or Holgate Street (Seattle) | $30 million |
| 212th Street on BNSF line(Kent) |
$13 million |
| 212th Street on Union Pacific line (Kent) |
$13 million |
| Willis Street at BNSF line (Kent) |
$10 million |
| Willis Street at Union Pacific line (Kent) |
$10 million |
| M Street Southeast (Auburn) | $7 million |
| 8th Street at Union Pacific line(Pacific) |
$16 million |
| Puyallup Street at BNSF (Sumner) |
$12 million |
| Total | $136 million |