The Sound Transit board gave the go-ahead today for additional study of a new light rail tunnel alternative for downtown Bellevue that is shorter and potentially cheaper.

Transit staff will start design work and environmental studies for the new alternative, including cost and ridership assessments, a spokesman said.

The new tunnel would run along 110th Avenue Northeast and be about 2,000-feet long, versus 5,000 feet for the 106th Avenue Northeast bored-tunnel option favored by the Bellevue City Council. It also would avoid an expensive redesign of the Bellevue Transit Center.

The proposal includes a station at 110th and Northeast Fourth Street. The tunnel would start near Main Street, run up 110th and curve east just south of Northeast Sixth. From there, it would elevate and cross I-405 before heading north to the medical district and a hospital station.

In May, Sound Transit's board recommended an at-grade option along 108th and 110th avenues Northeast, but said it would consider a bored tunnel if more funding can be found. A final decision will be made next year.

Look at the map for more details on the proposed route. What do you think? Comment with your thoughts on this new option.