METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Sound Transit sues to condemn land

The strip of vacant land would be used to expand the Sounder commuter rail service.

July 30, 2002
1 min to read


Seattle's Sound Transit filed suit yesterday to condemn a small strip of vacant land in Renton needed for track and signal upgrades, allowing for expansion later this year of the agency's Sounder commuter rail service. The land, appraised at $30,000, was priced at as much as $100 million by a city of Renton official. The Renton City Council is withholding an easement for track and signal improvements that would allow for a third Sounder run between Tacoma and Seattle. The city's staff earlier stated that the land was not needed by the city and recommended the city council approve the easement for $30,000. Sound Transit has evaluated other options for completing the necessary track work. The least expensive alternative to condemning the property in question would cost taxpayers within the transit district an additional $800,000.

Topics:Rail

More Rail

An Amtrak Acela train at New York Penn Station
Railby Alex RomanAugust 3, 2026

Amtrak Board Advances Plan to Restructure Organization, Seeks Public Input

The proposal, developed by Amtrak management and approved by the board for further consideration, is intended to modernize the organization's structure while improving accountability, operational efficiency, and customer service.

Read More →
A photo of an Amtrak train with a logo
Managementby Alex RomanJuly 24, 2026

Biz Briefs: STV teams with Amtrak, Motorcoach Operators Boost Fleet and Land Contracts, and More

From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.

Read More →
Metra Electric Line Vehicles
Railby Staff and News ReportsJuly 24, 2026

Metra Celebrates 100 Years of Electric Rail, Looks to the Future

The event was also a celebration of recent reforms to public transportation in the Chicago area, changes that could be as transformative in the future as the major civic achievement a century ago, said officials.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
LA Metro at State of the Agency event.
Managementby Alex RomanJuly 23, 2026

LA Metro Marks Banner Year, Sets Ambitious Goals for New Fiscal Year

Incoming LA Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined outgoing Board Chair Fernando Dutra and LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins to review accomplishments from fiscal year 2026, which included the opening of new rail extensions, advancement of major transit projects, expanded safety programs, and new rider amenities.

Read More →
Nathaniel P. Ford Sr., named President/CEO at DART
Managementby Alex RomanJuly 22, 2026

DART Taps Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. as Next President/CEO

Since 2012, Ford has served as the CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Read More →
California High Speed Rail in High Desert Corridor
Railby Alex RomanJuly 21, 2026

California High-Speed Rail Authority Signs MOU to Advance High Desert Corridor

The agreement deepens collaboration between the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency, supporting design integration, cost savings, and faster delivery of a key Southern California rail link.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
TechnologyJuly 20, 2026

Building the Next Generation of Transit Technology

In this edition of METROspectives, Luminator CEO Magnus Friberg discusses the company's transformation, the growing role of AI and software, and what's next for transit technology.

Read More →
What Transit Agencies Get Wrong About Data METROspectives episode with strada360's Steve Lassey
Sponsoredby Alex RomanJuly 20, 2026

How Data, Strategy, and Community Engagement Are Reshaping Transit

In this edition of METROspectives, strada360 CEO Steve Lassey discusses how transit agencies can better align planning with operations, leverage data to improve decision-making, and build public trust as they prepare for the future of mobility.

Read More →
TTC streetcar on tracks

TTC Launches Camera Pilot to Curb Illegal Passing of Streetcars

During the pilot, the cameras will measure how often illegal streetcar passing occurs and test the technology's reliability for future automated enforcement.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An NJ TRANSIT River Line light rail vehicle.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJuly 17, 2026

NJ TRANSIT Secures Capital Funding, Adopts FY2027 Budget

The budgets continue investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and enhance the overall customer experience.

Read More →