Well, Sound Transit’s light rail has had the first accident on MLK Way South. See KOMO News link (click here):

“The accident happened despite a safety education campaign – one that not all drivers seem to be getting. Trains and cars are now rubbing elbows along the light rail route, as Sound Transit launches intensive testing in preparation for its July grand opening. But there are no special barriers in place – just no-turn signs – which didn’t work to stop Sound Transit’s first accident. Neighbors say the crossings are dangerous. “I’ve seen people taking chances. It’s pretty scary,” said one local resident. There are no crossing arms at the 29 intersections where Sound Transit goes street level through Rainier Valley. Instead, drivers get bells, whistles and warning lights.

Two to three years ago, Wa. State Representative Fred Jarrett told us that at-grade alignments, such as the one in MLK Way South, would be a cause of  fatal accidents. He said that Sound Transit had estimated a specific number of deaths for the MLK Way at-grade alignment.

Aerial alignments are ugly and more expensive, as well as noisier, but they eliminate the concern regarding pedestrian deaths, and they allow the train to travel at higher speeds.

I wonder how long it will be before a pedestrian gets hit. See John Niles’ comment at the Seattle Times (click here for link):

 ”Central Link’s Environmental Impact Statement of 1999 forecast a collision of some sort every 12 days when the train is in full operation, based on experience in other cities during the 1990s. Let this one be a warning: Look carefully in your mirrors for what’s coming up BEHIND you before making left turns across those tracks!”

Just another good reason for a tunnel in Downtown Bellevue, with a high number of expected pedestrians projected in the next few years.