Not-quite-unanimous 520 bridge recommendations presented to Transpo Committee

The House Transportation Committee yesterday evening heard a workgroup’s recommendation for how to rebuild and finance the the 520 Bridge in Seattle. Legislation last session established the 520 Legislative Workgroup, comprised of 16 lawmakers and transportation officials, to review and recommend a bridge design and project-financing strategy. The active group met nine times over the legislative interim—many more than the three meetings originally planned.

The group’s recommendation, by a vote of 11-2, was for a six-lane corridor design, with a similar Montlake interchange and a new, second drawbridge over the Montlake Cut. The group figures this configuration can fit within the $4.65 billion cost limit established by the Legislature. Roughly $2 billion already is funded, and the remainder would be financed with tolls and additional state or federal funding, the group recommended.

The recommendation wasn’t unanimous, however. Workgroup members Speaker Frank Chopp and Rep. Jamie Pedersen think the recommended design does not adequately support transit and will bring adverse effects to the neighborhood that could result in litigation and project delays. They also question the financing assumptions, such as whether additional state or federal funding will actually materialize. The two members hope to continue working to find a way to address these issues.

Next up: Rep. Judy Clibborn, the committee chair, indicated on Wednesday that 520 legislation may appear before the committee next week.

To read more about the workgroup, including its final report and public comments, click here. Information about other ongoing aspects of the project can be found on WSDOT’s project page.