Seattle-area taxpayers would pay at least $169 million to replace a potential high-capacity transportation corridor through the Eastside with a bike trail, under a deal signed Monday.
That's what the Port of Seattle plans to pay King County in a swap involving the rail line and Boeing Field airport. There are parts of the deal that make sense, including the idea that the length of the trail will remain intact. Parts of the deal that would improve freight mobility through the Port are important for the region's economy.
But removing the track through the corridor would be a huge mistake. Though all parties say that rail could be added in the future, there's probably no chance of that happening after neighbors and bike trail users get used to having the area to themselves. Instead the route should be intensively studied as a complement to the region's planned rail lines and roads.