Federal, state, and local officials who support Sound Transit's $2.4 billion dollar plan to build a 14-mile light rail starter line from downtown Seattle to Tukwila frequently trumpet its "highly recommended" rating. For example, one elected official declared on July 24 that light rail in Seattle "will help solve the region's transportation mess and is 'highly recommended' for federal transportation dollars." The rating is based on data submitted by Sound Transit to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New Starts funding program.

However, close examination reveals that Sound Transit and FTA are using tainted information to make the Seattle light rail project look far better than it really is: Sound Transit light rail should actually be rated "not recommended."

Read the full Policy Note here