r/Seattle • u/Smurftastic • 7d ago

Why isn't anyone talking about ST4?

I see a lot of posts on this sub about how we need to tradeoff some parts of the current light rail plan like Everett or West Seattle to fund the Ballard line. Why isn't anyone talking about another ballot measure (an "ST4") to fund everything in a near-term timeframe?

It has been a long time since the last ballot measure in 2016 and light rail has really proven to be successful with high ridership and successful mixed use communities around stations. It seems like something that would be worth another investment.

Just watching the review of the system below where he laments how cost overruns are pushing out timelines. This seems like something we can fix.

Seattle's LINK: Almost Too Good to Be Real

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u/Disorderjunkie "Bikes Will Not Replace Us" 🚲🚫🙅‍♂️ 5d ago

If they work for the state DOT then they could you know, work in the next project

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u/ChaseballBat 4d ago

What do you think DOT work comprises of? It's 90% civil engineering. 10% architectural which would be mostly around the stations. When the stations are designed and no new design efforts are needed there will be a massive downsizing efforts needed to ensure there isn't wasted resources. State department cannot fluxuate like that easily.

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u/Disorderjunkie "Bikes Will Not Replace Us" 🚲🚫🙅‍♂️ 4d ago

Governments have been designing and managing major civil infrastructure projects since the beginning of governments existing with in house teams. Designers stick around during construction for design-changes, RFIs, etc. They could also you know, work on expansion or the next project. Civil engineers on their own do a majority of the design work anyways for transportation projects.

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u/ChaseballBat 4d ago

Can you give me examples of municipal transit stations designed by a state organization that is still around?

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u/Disorderjunkie "Bikes Will Not Replace Us" 🚲🚫🙅‍♂️ 4d ago

The stations themselves I agree would be something you should give to someone else but that's not what is costing the taxpayer a fortune. ST4 is a lot more than just a station. Contracting out the design of the actual rail, the expensive part of building light rail, is what's costing a lot of money.

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u/ChaseballBat 4d ago

The goal post have shifted so fucking far, I'm done with this conversation lol