title
AN ORDINANCE authorizing the condemnation of real property to obtain easements, and other rights in property for the construction of the Rapid Ride I Line in the city of Renton.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1.
A. The RapidRide I Line ("RRIL") project will provide high-quality bus rapid transit service connecting Renton, Kent, and Auburn, and connect to the regional transit network to improve access to destinations across the region. The property rights that are the subject of this ordinance must be acquired to construct the RRIL project and associated facilities. The acquisition of property rights is for a public purpose.
B. The RRIL project is one part of a larger system-wide approach to improve transit access in South King County, and will increase transit speed, reliability, and passenger carrying capacity in three of some of the largest and most diverse communities in the Seattle area. The project will serve the transportation needs of communities that have been historically underserved, which are South King County communities, which have some of the highest proportions of low-income and minority populations in King County, and the project will deliver improved services along with increased passenger comfort on that corridor similar to what is experienced in the areas already served by RapidRide or Link service.
C. Ordinance 18449, enacted February 1, 2017, adopting the King County Metro long-range transit service and capital plan, METRO CONNECTS, which identifies an expanded network of future RapidRide lines for implementation, including the RRIL. Via Ordinance 19098, the Locally Preferred Alternative for the RRIL project was approved, including the alignment and station locations. The RRIL project will meet the goals set forth in the King County Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan by tying together economically and racially diverse communities, and connecting neighborhoods to employment opportunities, c...

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