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Extra Fizz: KC Exec Constantine Lukewarm on Seattle 520 Proposal

Politics   February 1, 2010 at 4:05 pm Erica C. Barnett

UPDATE/Clarification: Constantine’s office says the intent of his email was not to express support for any particular 520 option, but merely to say that Metro and Sound Transit should be involved in the decision-making process. Additionally, his staff says Constantine wants whichever option is best for transit. Constantine’s staff adds that he has not made any decisions about which option that might be.

In a statement this afternoon, King County Executive Dow Constantine reiterated his (and the county’s) support for the 520 bridge replacement option backed by the state legislature and Governor Chris Gregoire. That option, unlike the proposal released by Seattle residents, legislators, and city officials this morning, would include HOV lanes for carpools and buses, ramps through the Arboretum, and four lanes of general-purpose traffic. (It would also be around 30 feet tall). In contrast, the proposal released this morning would include dedicated lanes for high-capacity transit (first bus rapid transit, then light rail), and would be smaller and have less impact on the Arboretum.

Constantine said the county’s support for the state-backed plan was “based in large part on the many transit improvements this alignment would provide, including new high-occupancy vehicle lanes on the bridge itself that could accommodate an increased flow of buses, vanpools and carpools.” The proposal released today would dedicate those lanes exclusively to transit, not carpools.




  • Timothy

    That “update” is quite a departure from what you reported earlier. So, which is it? Can ou publish the actual statement from Dow?

  • Timothy

    That “update” is quite a departure from what you reported earlier. So, which is it? Can ou publish the actual statement from Dow?

  • Timothy

    That “update” is quite a departure from what you reported earlier. So, which is it? Can ou publish the actual statement from Dow?

  • Fat-tailed

    I’m sure Publicola stands by the original story. They always do.

  • Fat-tailed

    I’m sure Publicola stands by the original story. They always do.

  • Fat-tailed

    I’m sure Publicola stands by the original story. They always do.

  • Marge

    Let’s be clear Erica. Three Seattle legislators have backed the proposal to stop/delay the project at today’s press conference. The rest of Seattle legislators, (a dozen or so?), were not there today. Why? Because maybe the rest to the City wants to move forward.

    Let’s also be clear. Two members of the Seattle City Council showed up at the press event today. Seven others spoke by not being there – because they don’t support the proposal to delay the project. They made their views clear last week.

    Looks to me like most of the elected leadership within the City of Seattle doesn’t support the silly scheme announced today with the backing of very few.

    How many environmental groups were there today? Two? Where were the rest of them? Oh. Maybe they don’t support the delaying tactics on the Montlake crowd either. And wait, what about the rest of the people of the City of Seattle? Do they support delay and higher costs? Probably not.

    Looks to me like Dow is doing the right thing again, representing the whole city and the whole county. Not just the loudmouth special interests of a single neighborhood or two.

    Anyboyd who really cares about the big picture for transit and a sustainable environment isn’t buying into the idea of making 520 the be all and end all. Because most of them know it isn’t. What we did see today was a good effort by the 43rd district legislators to create a lot of smoke.

    We could really use some decent reporting on this topic, instead of cheer leading and misleading.

  • Marge

    Let’s be clear Erica. Three Seattle legislators have backed the proposal to stop/delay the project at today’s press conference. The rest of Seattle legislators, (a dozen or so?), were not there today. Why? Because maybe the rest to the City wants to move forward.

    Let’s also be clear. Two members of the Seattle City Council showed up at the press event today. Seven others spoke by not being there – because they don’t support the proposal to delay the project. They made their views clear last week.

    Looks to me like most of the elected leadership within the City of Seattle doesn’t support the silly scheme announced today with the backing of very few.

    How many environmental groups were there today? Two? Where were the rest of them? Oh. Maybe they don’t support the delaying tactics on the Montlake crowd either. And wait, what about the rest of the people of the City of Seattle? Do they support delay and higher costs? Probably not.

    Looks to me like Dow is doing the right thing again, representing the whole city and the whole county. Not just the loudmouth special interests of a single neighborhood or two.

    Anyboyd who really cares about the big picture for transit and a sustainable environment isn’t buying into the idea of making 520 the be all and end all. Because most of them know it isn’t. What we did see today was a good effort by the 43rd district legislators to create a lot of smoke.

    We could really use some decent reporting on this topic, instead of cheer leading and misleading.

  • Marge

    Let’s be clear Erica. Three Seattle legislators have backed the proposal to stop/delay the project at today’s press conference. The rest of Seattle legislators, (a dozen or so?), were not there today. Why? Because maybe the rest to the City wants to move forward.

    Let’s also be clear. Two members of the Seattle City Council showed up at the press event today. Seven others spoke by not being there – because they don’t support the proposal to delay the project. They made their views clear last week.

    Looks to me like most of the elected leadership within the City of Seattle doesn’t support the silly scheme announced today with the backing of very few.

    How many environmental groups were there today? Two? Where were the rest of them? Oh. Maybe they don’t support the delaying tactics on the Montlake crowd either. And wait, what about the rest of the people of the City of Seattle? Do they support delay and higher costs? Probably not.

    Looks to me like Dow is doing the right thing again, representing the whole city and the whole county. Not just the loudmouth special interests of a single neighborhood or two.

    Anyboyd who really cares about the big picture for transit and a sustainable environment isn’t buying into the idea of making 520 the be all and end all. Because most of them know it isn’t. What we did see today was a good effort by the 43rd district legislators to create a lot of smoke.

    We could really use some decent reporting on this topic, instead of cheer leading and misleading.

  • Timothy

    Marge…

    That’s a pretty narrow view.

    The council sent a letter to the State which asks for nearly identical things to what the coalition this morning is asking for, so the differences between council and the State seem wider than the differences between the council members who were there today and those who weren’t.

    Only three legislators? Well, sure, But perhaps the three most powerful Seattle legislators there are, including Speaker Chopp. They also happen to represent the Seattle neighborhoods most directly affected by 520.

    I get that you’re spinning, just don’t take us for dupes.

  • Marge

    The Council’s letter was a clear departure from what the Montlake led group was asking for. Just ask the people who matter right now: the Governor and most leadership in Olympia.

    Yes, the people who most benefit from 520 improvements reside in the the waterfront neighborhoods of the 43rd district and have boats at the two yacht clubs there.

    The rest of the City envy’s their transportation access and wants more transit. The best way to get more transit is to get on with 520.

  • Marge

    The Council’s letter was a clear departure from what the Montlake led group was asking for. Just ask the people who matter right now: the Governor and most leadership in Olympia.

    Yes, the people who most benefit from 520 improvements reside in the the waterfront neighborhoods of the 43rd district and have boats at the two yacht clubs there.

    The rest of the City envy’s their transportation access and wants more transit. The best way to get more transit is to get on with 520.

  • Marge

    The Council’s letter was a clear departure from what the Montlake led group was asking for. Just ask the people who matter right now: the Governor and most leadership in Olympia.

    Yes, the people who most benefit from 520 improvements reside in the the waterfront neighborhoods of the 43rd district and have boats at the two yacht clubs there.

    The rest of the City envy’s their transportation access and wants more transit. The best way to get more transit is to get on with 520.

  • Progressive

    Dow– needs to ally with the mayor and the other Seattle leaders. We don’t want Judy and Christ running our city.
    Dow– Don’t joint the bad crowd.

  • Progressive

    Dow– needs to ally with the mayor and the other Seattle leaders. We don’t want Judy and Christ running our city.
    Dow– Don’t joint the bad crowd.

  • Progressive

    Dow– needs to ally with the mayor and the other Seattle leaders. We don’t want Judy and Christ running our city.
    Dow– Don’t joint the bad crowd.

  • Chris Arkills

    As requested, here is a link to Dow’s statement:

    http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/news/release/2010/February/520Bridge1.aspx

  • Chris Arkills

    As requested, here is a link to Dow’s statement:

    http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/news/release/2010/February/520Bridge1.aspx

  • Chris Arkills

    As requested, here is a link to Dow’s statement:

    http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/news/release/2010/February/520Bridge1.aspx

  • Eric Koszyk

    I just contacted Dow’s office and expressed my support for the Seattle proposal and against the state’s proposal.

    This is a project that will effect this region for at least the next 60 years. We need local input.

  • Eric Koszyk

    I just contacted Dow’s office and expressed my support for the Seattle proposal and against the state’s proposal.

    This is a project that will effect this region for at least the next 60 years. We need local input.

  • Eric Koszyk

    I just contacted Dow’s office and expressed my support for the Seattle proposal and against the state’s proposal.

    This is a project that will effect this region for at least the next 60 years. We need local input.

  • Timothy

    Marge…

    That's a pretty narrow view.

    The council sent a letter to the State which asks for nearly identical things to what the coalition this morning is asking for, so the differences between council and the State seem wider than the differences between the council members who were there today and those who weren't.

    Only three legislators? Well, sure, But perhaps the three most powerful Seattle legislators there are, including Speaker Chopp. They also happen to represent the Seattle neighborhoods most directly affected by 520.

    I get that you're spinning, just don't take us for dupes.

  • carlsea

    Whatever design, make sure the Montlake Flyer freeway stops are retained so that bus transit users and people who can't afford $6 RT tolls have options.