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News & ArtsThursday, April 29, 2010
City Gregoire Unveils Her "Preferred Alternative." (Or, "520 is Ready for Light Rail. Light Rail is Not Ready for 520.")
Posted by Eli Sanders on Thu, Apr 29, 2010 at 4:47 PM
- E.S.
At a press conference at the University of Washington boat launch this afternoon, with the Albert D. Rossellini (520) Bridge in the background, Gov. Christine Gregoire announced her "preferred alternative" for replacing the rickety structure.
She spoke of the urgency in doing something now, before an earthquake or high winds force the issue, and emphasized that her plan is light rail friendly. (She did not have an explanation for why Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn—who is holding a dueling press conference right about now—wasn't there with her, but she said her plan accommodates his desire to see rail across the new span, provided anyone can ever find the money for it. "520 is ready for light rail," Gregoire said, twice. "Light rail is not ready for 520.")
Here's what's making the new plan ready for light rail: a 45-foot space between two sections of the bridge as it approaches the west side of Lake Washington. In the future, a ramp for light rail trains coming to and from the University District station could slide right into that spot, Gregoire said. (Click to enlarge.)
- Washington State Department of Transportation
Other details: it's still a six-lane bridge, but "direct-access ramps" to the UW have been added for transit and high occupancy vehicles; the grassy lid over the Montlake portion has been expanded; and the ramps from the Arboretum have been removed.
More images, and maybe even some video, coming soon. Meanwhile, this man—Phil Rezek, 45, of Montlake—was not pleased at the "increased capacity" being added to his neighborhood, and stood at the edge of the press conference holding a placard to register his unhappiness.
- E.S.
UPDATE: Here are some more images (all .pdf) of Gregoire's plan: the new Montlake interchange, the new Portage Bay configuration, and some pretty sketches.
2
SOUTH PARK BRIDGE
SOUTH PARK BRIDGE
SOUTH PARK BRIDGE
You know, the one down by Boeing and all the brown, less wealthy people? The one that's been needing replacement since the mid-70's? The one that's going to be shut down at the end of June, because there's no money in the budget to continue to operate it? The one for which there is no agency accepting responsibility to replace it, no money with which to build another one, and no plan in place for moving on any of this?
The one that the firefighters are worried about because their ability to respond to South Park and environs will be severely hampered? The one that's going to route 20,000+ vehicles daily over the already over-used 1st Ave S Bridge?
The 520 bridge can go fuck a pit bull grandma in a red state handbasket, let's have some coverage about the SHAMEFUL thing that is happening now in South Seattle.
SOUTH PARK BRIDGE
SOUTH PARK BRIDGE
You know, the one down by Boeing and all the brown, less wealthy people? The one that's been needing replacement since the mid-70's? The one that's going to be shut down at the end of June, because there's no money in the budget to continue to operate it? The one for which there is no agency accepting responsibility to replace it, no money with which to build another one, and no plan in place for moving on any of this?
The one that the firefighters are worried about because their ability to respond to South Park and environs will be severely hampered? The one that's going to route 20,000+ vehicles daily over the already over-used 1st Ave S Bridge?
The 520 bridge can go fuck a pit bull grandma in a red state handbasket, let's have some coverage about the SHAMEFUL thing that is happening now in South Seattle.
6
On the face of it, this is a big freakin' deal. The one big impediment to transit in the A+ plan was that buses would have the use of the HOV lane on the bridge, but then the moment they got off westbound, they'd be stuck in general traffic all the way to Husky Stadium station. This appears to be a major change that addresses just that problem.
Other details: it's still a six-lane bridge, but "direct-access ramps" to the UW have been added for transit and high occupancy vehicles;
On the face of it, this is a big freakin' deal. The one big impediment to transit in the A+ plan was that buses would have the use of the HOV lane on the bridge, but then the moment they got off westbound, they'd be stuck in general traffic all the way to Husky Stadium station. This appears to be a major change that addresses just that problem.
7
Your governor looks like she's the wife of the Crypt Keeper. Not that I can talk...we only recently ousted Bob Taft in Ohio. 8% approval rating at his exit...
8
It's tough to look badass in fleece and itty-bitty Bartell's sunglasses, but this guy's trying hard.
10
Looking at mr. Rezek's sign we cam assume he commutes by unicorn and is worried about his property values going down in flames.
11
Montlake residents can go eat it.
I live in the city and I have to get to work across that bridge (luckily only on occasion). I'd be really glad if they did shut down the Arboretum on/off ramps, nobody should be commuting through the Arboretum. I'm even in favor of the bridge on/off ramps being on the north side of the ship canal, which most of Montlake seems to favor. But demanding a 4 lane bridge, holding your breath and stomping your feet about it is ridiculous.
As to light rail, if the bridge deck for cars is like 20 feet in the air, why cant they run the trains along the surface level of the pontoons? U-shaped pontoons could even run the trains below the waterline.
I live in the city and I have to get to work across that bridge (luckily only on occasion). I'd be really glad if they did shut down the Arboretum on/off ramps, nobody should be commuting through the Arboretum. I'm even in favor of the bridge on/off ramps being on the north side of the ship canal, which most of Montlake seems to favor. But demanding a 4 lane bridge, holding your breath and stomping your feet about it is ridiculous.
As to light rail, if the bridge deck for cars is like 20 feet in the air, why cant they run the trains along the surface level of the pontoons? U-shaped pontoons could even run the trains below the waterline.
12
How come men in Hummers look like they have small dicks but men in Prius look like they have no dicks?
13
Well, that's going to be interesting to navigate. I had a conversation pretty early on in the design cycle with one of the WSDOT engineers and was told flat out that the Arboretum ramps could not be eliminated due to impact on the Montlake exchange (too much traffic for the space).
I guess we will all find out if he was right.
I guess we will all find out if he was right.
14
I'm started the facebook group "Seattlelites Pledging to Never Again Vote for Chirstine Gregoire". How much you want to bet that if we get 1000 people to join, she caves and makes it LIght Rail Ready. She's a craven pol who thinks she'll get more Eastside votes by dissing Seattle, and thinks Seattle will always vote for her cause we're so dang gull-liberal.
15
@14 what the fuck are you talking about? Gregoire is never running for anything ever again. The lady is tired as as hell and her approval numbers are in the crapper. In early 2012, she'll announce this is the end and the Inslee for Governor machine will be unleashed.
16
I think that we should be able to vote on this proposal. And we should have a vote for every change to the proposal.
It'll be faster and more efficient, trust me.
It'll be faster and more efficient, trust me.
17
this thread shows that there's plenty of local material nowadays to successfully resuscitate "Almost Live". this is a surprisingly entertaining thread about a very dry topic. and "jan drago must wash her hair in ivory bar soap" or something to that effect in the later 520 post from gloomy gus... hilarious.
18
I love the smell of Seattle victory in the morning.
Because, objections and quibbles aside, that's what this is.
Because, objections and quibbles aside, that's what this is.
19
@1 - that was going to be impacted by construction no matter what. You can't continue to operate a 4 lane bridge and build an adjacent 6 lane bridge with holding ponds for runoff and construction staging without a footprint of around 12-14 lane widths. Unless you have about twice as much money - which ain't gonna happen.
Most of the impact goes away once the construction ends and the original structure is removed. Which is why making light rail possible (as is feasible with these changes) now in design rather than later after it's built is so very very critical (and otherwise is the foundation for successful lawsuits).
Most of the impact goes away once the construction ends and the original structure is removed. Which is why making light rail possible (as is feasible with these changes) now in design rather than later after it's built is so very very critical (and otherwise is the foundation for successful lawsuits).
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