City says no to state's 520 plans

Seattle, it seems, is not satisfied with the three options the state is pushing for the replacement of the 520 bridge across Lake Washington.

A group of political leaders Monday announced they are working together to push for a more sustainable plan for the 520 replacement, as reported by our citywide news partners at the Seattle Times:

Seattle has taken an important political step in the effort to find a greener design for the Highway 520 replacement bridge, House Speaker Frank Chopp said in a brief speech Monday morning.

Unlike many earlier years, Seattle has both a new mayor, Mike McGinn, and a city council that are engaged, he said.

"The mayor and the council now stand united against the current plan," Chopp said.

Chopp was among about 100 people gathered in a green space next to the highway, with marshes and abandoned road ramps in the foreground and the roar of morning traffic over the lake.

Six elected officials lent their support to neighborhood groups who demand that two lanes of the future six-lane bridge be designed for bus-rapid transit and light rail only — instead of ordinary carpool lanes.

The group included City Council members Nick Licata and Mike O’Brien and Chopp, Jamie Pedersen and Sen. Ed Murray from the 43rd, plus Mayor Mike McGinn.

More coverage of the coalition:

• Slog: Seattle Rejects State's Plan for 520, Calls for More Transit
• Publicola: Seattle's Preferred 520 Alignment Unlikely to Win Support in Olympia 

The City Council sent a letter to Governor Chris Gregoire and other state reps laying out their opposition to the proposals approved by the state's workgroup. A copy of the letter is attached to this post. Here are the priorities they include:

•  Ensuring design will maximize the opportunity for dedicated transit lanes.
• Narrow where possible lane width and general footprint of the corridor without compromising public safety and emergency access.
•  Identifying ways to mitigate project impacts during and after construction.
•  Using noise mitigation technologies as an integral part of design.
•  Optimizing transit connectivity across the entire SR 520 corridor.
•  Reducing height of the crosslake bridge structure from the thirty feet in the current plans.

As Andrew points out, the 520 debate even has the required 'disaster videos' that became such a big deal during the race for mayor as the candidates squared off over the Viaduct.

The state is moving ahead with the outreach and information process. There's a planned 520 info booth session at Seattle Central next Thursday. Meanwhile, the environmental hearing scheduled for February 23rd will likely be a contentious evening.

Coming in February: Learn more about the SR 520 project at traveling info booth

Just last week we released  of three Montlake interchange designs, as well as the effects of building a new six-lane SR floating bridge and roadway from I-5 to Medina.

If you want to learn more about designs for a new SR  Montlake freeway interchange and six-lane bridge, we’ll be sharing information starting Feb. 10.

Technical staff will be available for questions at an informational kiosk.

• Feb. 10: 12 - 1:30 p.m. at the University of Washington Husky Union Building, first floor lobby.
• Feb. 11: 12 - 1:30 p.m. at Seattle Central Community College, lobby.
• Feb. 12: 12 - 1:30 p.m. at the Downtown Seattle Public Library.
• Feb. 16: 3 - 5:30 p.m. at Tully’s Coffee, 8805 Points Drive NE, Clyde Hill.
• Feb. 17: 12 - 2 p.m. at the UW Health Science Building, I-Wing, Rotunda Foyer.
• Feb. 18: 3 - 5 p.m. at the Montlake Seattle Public Library meeting room.

We also have an important opportunity for public comment at our hearing and open house on Feb. 23.

Environmental hearing and open house

Time: 5 - 7 p.m. Date: Tuesday, Feb. 23 Location: Lake Union Park Naval Reserve Building, 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle

All comments on the SDEIS are due by March 8. WSDOT will review and consider comments from the public before identifying a preferred Montlake interchange option this spring. A final environmental impact statement is scheduled to be released in about a year. Construction permits would follow and a replacement floating bridge is scheduled to open to traffic in 2014.

How do I review the environmental document?

• View documents and comment online at the SR 520 Web page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/.
• Visit local libraries in the greater Seattle area. A full list is on our Web page.
• Call the project office at 206-770-3500 to request a free executive summary and CD or to purchase a printed copy of the document.

How do I comment on the environmental document?

• E-mail comments to sr520bridge_SDEIS@wsdot.wa.gov

Mail comments to Jenifer Young, SDEIS Environmental Manager, 600 Stewart St., Suite 520, Seattle, WA 98101.