I have lived in the same home for 40 years. I retired two years ago, and like many retired seniors, I live on a fixed income. I don’t mind paying my fair share of taxes, but my property taxes went up $985 this year. With the housing market as it is, it will be difficult to find more affordable housing.

The ST3 project is going to add another financial burden for seniors. These taxes will go on for years to come.

I am originally from Portland, Ore. where light rail has been used since the ’80s. I was there two weeks ago and the traffic is terrible. Light rail works if you live near it. If someone lives 20 miles from the station, they won’t want to travel through rush hour traffic to get to a station. More buses and park and rides are needed. Buses can go anywhere and get more people to ride, if it is convenient for drivers. The cost to build and to ride buses or other alternative transit options would be far less than light rail.

In my opinion, I see four reasons that light rail will not work. 1. People do not want to give up their cars. 2. The population will keep growing. There are too many people in a concentrated space. 3. The stations won’t be convenient to get to for most drivers. 4. By the time Sound Transit starts to build ST3, the technology will be obsolete.

I hope everyone will consider the facts (go to www.nost3). Sound Transit makes it sound like will help reduce traffic, but after seeing Portland’s traffic, I know it won’t alleviate and most definitely won’t resolve the congestion.

Dede Renne, Kirkland