Coalition takes stand on 520 bridge project

In a show of solidarity, Seattle and Eastside officials gathered Thursday to support a new six-lane Highway 520 toll bridge, despite continued debate over how it would connect with Montlake and the University of Washington.

Five members of the Seattle City Council joined the event, just three days after Mayor Mike McGinn held his own news conference asking the state to redesign the planned car-pool lanes for light rail and bus service only.

The friction between the mayor and council over the bridge design underscores the long and rocky history of trying to replace the aging east-west span, which state engineers say could sink in a major storm or earthquake. The bridge, built in 1963, carries 115,000 vehicles a day. Those attending Thursday's gathering said the participation of political, civic and labor leaders from both sides of Lake Washington was an endorsement of the design approved three years ago by the state Legislature: two general traffic lanes and one carpool/bus lane each way.

"It was a remarkable show of unity, that we need to keep moving on this project," said City Councilman Tom Rasmussen, who was joined by council members Richard Conlin, Tim Burgess, Sally Clark and Jean Godden.

House Transportation Chairwoman Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, reiterated the argument that a redesign of the car-pool lanes would delay the project up to two years.

But McGinn said it's not too late to rethink the use of the car-pool lanes.

McGinn also questioned why the five council members would stand with Clibborn, after they opposed the state's latest Montlake interchange plan in a letter a few days ago. "Do they support trying to shove a six-lane highway into Seattle, or not?" McGinn said.

On Monday, McGinn was joined by House Speaker Frank Chopp, Sen. Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen and Seattle neighborhood leaders to make the case for the transit-only lanes. Those would reduce future traffic entering the city, and allow a leaner Montlake Interchange design, they said.

An environmental statement says the current proposal means the Montlake interchange would be about 90 yards wide, including HOV ramps.

McGinn said he'll direct Seattle's Transportation Department to cooperate with the state Department of Transportation in design work this year — if the state considers transit-only lanes. Pontoon construction is to start late this year, bringing new deadlines and a sense of urgency to politicians.

Burgess, Godden, and Rasmussen said too much is being made of the council-mayor conflict, when they agree with McGinn's desire for a leaner interchange. Burgess said he prefers two transit-only lanes eventually, and differs with McGinn about political strategy.

"It's the state's decision," added Rasmussen. "He [McGinn] can make that suggestion. It's not going to prevail through the council, and I don't think he'll have support in the Legislature to do that."