Will State Join Push For Light-Rail?

No one is willing to place any early bets.

As the state Legislature’s extra session drags on, local light-rail advocates are concerned that the final budget won’t include funding for the project.

“We’re watching with a degree of interest and a degree of concern,” said Spokane Transit Authority executive director Allen Schweim. “The willingness and ability of the state to be a partner is a big question mark right now.”

Glenn Miles, head of the Spokane Regional Transportation Council, also won’t speculate on how much money the state will end up dedicating to the project.

“I believe the project will continue, the question is at what pace it will be going,” he said.

The original plan called for an equal, three-way partnership between federal, state and local governments money for the proposed $300 milllion light rail project.

Preliminary proposals call for the commuter train to run 16 miles from downtown to Liberty Lake. Most of the right-of-way necessary is already owned by the county. In the Valley, plans call for the light rail to run along the future Valley Couplet corridor.

A few pieces still need to be purchased for the right-of-way to be complete, including a 14-acre parcel that makes up the northern position of the Union-Pacific yards near Havana and Fancher.

The STA began condemnation proceedings with the railroad late last year. The two groups are still fairly far apart on price, Schweim said.

Even if the legislature approves money for the initial engineering and design work, the project is by no means a done deal.

Voters inside the Spokane Transit Authority’s taxing district would have to agree to help pay for the project through taxes.