April 1, 2005 Seattle Legislators Call for Viaduct FundingNews of Viaduct moving highlights need for replacement OLYMPIA – The state Department of Transportation today announced that the Alaskan Way Viaduct had moved a ¼ of an inch in the last six months. Lawmakers from the 34th and 36th districts, which the viaduct runs through, say the viaduct continues to be an urgent transportation need that must be addressed.“The viaduct is dangerously close to failing,” said Rep. Helen Sommers (D-Seattle). “We can’t wait for this to happen, we must take action this session to get to work on a replacement.” The viaduct has settled a total of 4 ¼ inches since the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. Officials from the State Department of Transportation say that if the viaduct settles another 1 ¾ inches, it would require an emergency repair. “100,000 cars move across the viaduct every day, many of them constituents of mine,” said Rep. Joe McDermott (D-Seattle). “If the viaduct gets shut down our streets from West Seattle to Ballard will be clogged and no one will be going anywhere.” Legislators this session are working on a transportation package to address roads, bridges and other structures that pose a public safety risk like the viaduct. “The viaduct is not only essential to transportation in Seattle but the whole state. When traffic can't get out of West Seattle because the viaduct is closed it's not just individuals it includes all the trucks coming from the port and impacts our economy,” said Rep. Eileen Cody (D-Seattle). Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-Seattle), a member of Transportation Committee said that today’s news shows that addressing the viaduct has evolved from an economic and transportation issue to a public safety issue. “Replacing the viaduct isn’t just a transportation issue, it’s a moral obligation because lives are at stake,” she said. # # # CONTACT: Rep. Joe McDermott (360) 786-7952 Rep. Helen Sommers (360) 786-7814 Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (360) 786-7860 Rep. Eileen Cody (360) 786-7978 |
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