State Representatives Jeff Morris (D-Mount Vernon) and Kristine Lytton (D-Anacortes) issued the following statement regarding the collapse of the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge:
“First, we would like to join all those who have commended the tremendous work of our first responders, whose actions miraculously ensured that no one lost their lives in the collapse of the Skagit River Bridge. We are grateful and thankful that we have such talented and dedicate public servants in our community.
We are also incredibly proud of the response of the Skagit County Sheriff’s department, Mount Vernon and Burlington Fire departments, and the State Troopers who serve our area. Their practice and dedication paid off in ways not measured by dollars but in lives saved.
This accident is a reminder that our transportation infrastructure requires ongoing investment in maintenance and upkeep. This bridge was not considered structurally unsound, but it was deemed outdated based on the type and volume of traffic it was carrying. It should raise red flags when a single oversized freight truck can disrupt an entire region’s transportation system. We need to be doing more as a state to prevent this type of disaster from happening again. Continue reading
