SR 520 Bridge Replacement Construction Approved (Seattle Forward)

April 28, 2011

SR 520 Bridge Replacement Construction Approved

The SR 520 bridge replacement project took a major step forward this morning when the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Governing Board voted to change the project status from "Conditional Approval for Design Build" to "Conditional Approval."

The state plans to award a design-build contract for the bridge replacement, including the east and west end bridge landings, later this summer. The PSRC is a regional transportation, growth management and economic development agency made up of elected leaders from King, Snohomish, Kitsap and Pierce counties. The Governing Board meets monthly and votes on matters recommended by PSRC policy boards; today's approval was based on the recommendation of the Transportation Policy Board. You can watch the discussion leading up to this morning's vote here. This topic begins at the 39:36 point in the meeting. (How the vote played out and more detail after the jump . . .)

Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen, Bruce Harrell and myself represent the City Council on the governing board. Mayor McGinn also sits as a member of the board. PSRC voting is proportional and weighted based on population. The Seattle delegation's vote is divided in quarters; one quarter of Seattle's vote are cast by Mayor McGinn, three quarters by the Council representatives.

The motion to change the project status, essentially giving the green light for construction contracts to be awarded and work to begin after completion of the Environmental Impact Statement and record of decision, was approved by 97%. As expected, Mayor McGinn was the only delegate to oppose approval. The Mayor has opposed several major transportation policy decisions that have come before the Governing Board since he became mayor.

Planning for the west side of the SR 520 project is not yet complete. The Council has been working closely with the state and several important changes have been made to design, including lower the overall height of the bridge across Lake Washington and interchange improvements in the Montlake neighborhood. Lots of work remains, including final decisions about how to configure lanes across Portage Bay and connecting to I-5.

SR 520 is a key part of the greater Puget Sound regional transportation system, a grid of interconnecting roads and transit, and eventually light rail, that moves people and freight and supports the economic foundation of our region. The Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project, along with the Spokane and Mercer corridor projects, are essential parts as well.

Posted by Tim Burgess on April 28, 2011 at 12:56 PM in SR 520 Replacement, Transportation | Permalink

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Burgess Bookshelf

Snyder, Timothy: Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary
This book, along with Snyder's earlier, On Tyranny, is packed full of useful policy ideas that can help rebuild our country. Snyder's understanding of the rising threat of authoritarianism is exactly what needs to be understood today, coupled with his diagnosis of how we have failed to support all of the people of America.
Putnam, Robert D.: The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again
Here's a hope filled historical review of how America has made itself more inclusive and equitable and can do it again. Very encouraging.
Sacks, Jonathan: Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times
Rabbi Sacks' book is essential reading, in my opinion, especially now when freedom is under such attack. His wisdom fills every page, his defense of liberal democracy is compelling.
Epstein, David: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
This is a compelling and great read. I love it since I'm a generalist.
McCaulley, Esau: Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope
While the white Christian church, especially evangelicalism, was the dominant influence in my family of origin and my youth, I've learned so much more recently from the Black church. McCaulley's book is a very good introduction to Black theology and biblical interpretation.
Yglesias, Matthew: One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger
A critical thinker and blogger, Yglesias lays out a vision for America that is more inclusive and equitable; includes good sections on early learning and the crucial value of immigration.
Thomas E. Ricks: Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom
This book examines the lives and efforts of two men who never met each other but who helped save democracy leading up to and during World War II. Another much read for those who are worried about the American condition today.
Timothy Snyder: The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America
From the author of "On Tyranny" comes another pithy look at how freedom and democracy can be destroyed from within.
Greg Weiner: American Burke: The Uncommon Liberalism of Daniel Patrick Moynihan (American Political Thought)
Fascinating account of the former New York Senator; good friend and colleague of our own Senator Henry Jackson.
Steven Levitsky & Daniel Liblatt: How Democracies Die
This is a must read for people concerned about the future of our democracy. One of their main points is that democracies begin to fail when the norms of civil discourse and the rule of law begin to crumble. We are seeing that happen before our very eyes today.