Here’s the first article in a daily paper explaining why the rail line running through Seattle’s Eastside suburbs needs to be preserved instead of turned into a bike trail.

The critical point: elected representatives need to plan for the long-term needs of this region — an area likely to double in population — rather than dote on interest groups. This means using the rail corridor to supplement I-405, which is currently the key priority of the highway-loving Department of Transportation. It also means preserving the rail corridor for mass transit even if the current owner wants to sell it.