HIKING NEWS ITEM

Rail Line to be turned into a Recreational Trail

TUESDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2007

Seattle, USA - A preliminary deal has been signed yesterday by King County, the Port of Seattle, and BNSF Railway executives that will turn the Renton-to-Snohomish rail line into a recreational trail.

The 40-mile rail line, according to County Executive Ron Sims, would be a dual-use facility, allowing a possible "high-capacity passenger rail line". A biking and hiking trail will also be built at the south of the Snohomish County line.

Port of Seattle CEO Mic Dinsmore related that making the rail line, which was build more than a century ago, into a recreational trail is the right thing. However, Dinsmore says, it should be regarded as rail system first and a trail system second.

Read more about this news story at www.seattletimes.nwsource.com.