OLYMPIA—The House of Representatives took action today to prevent the threat of an automatic work-stoppage at the SR 520 bridge project from torpedoing nearly 900 construction jobs and inflating taxpayer costs by as much as $165 million.
The House today voted 94-4 for a bill by state Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island) that allows construction work on the bridge to proceed during environmental appeals.
Clibborn’s House Bill 2814 addresses a provision of the Shoreline Management Act that automatically stops construction work when a citizen or group appeals the granting of an environmental permit.
“State and local experts have said this vital bridge project is environmentally friendly and meets our high standards for protecting shorelines,” said Clibborn, who chairs the House Transportation Committee. “Our very narrowly crafted bill says only that construction can proceed while citizens appeal the experts’ rulings.”
The Washington State Department of Transportation has lost only one Shoreline Management Act appeal since 1971.
Washington Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond appealed for swift passage of Clibborn’s bill in order to avoid the consequences of a potential year-long delay on the project.
“We all know what happens if this project is delayed: It is money on the cost of the contract; it is also jobs lost,” Hammond said during a Feb. 24 hearing on Clibborn’s proposal.
According to Hammond, Clibborn’s bill will prevent the loss or delay of 450 jobs in the Aberdeen area, 175 jobs in Tacoma and more than 265 jobs at the bridge site.
Hammond also said the bill would prevent up to $165 million in added construction costs that would result from a delay.
The measure passed today is consistent with the approach taken in previous decades to protect progress on essential bridge projects. The Legislature also gave the green light to proceed with construction of the Hood Canal Bridge and the Interstate 90 floating bridge while environmental permits were being appealed.
“It is important to understand that this bill preserves all of the authority of the Shoreline Management Board to protect our valuable shorelines,” said Clibborn. “All we are saying is that work can continue during citizen appeals. We are not prejudging the result of those appeals.”
Another element in Clibborn’s bill ensures that a funding strategy for completing the project will be in place before work begins on a later phase of construction that will connect the bridge to the western landing near the University of Washington.
Hammond added in her testimony that passing Clibborn’s bill is also important for public safety, because the current SR 520 bridge might not be able to survive an earthquake or severe storm.
“This is a life-safety issue,” Hammond said. “We would like to have this bridge reconstructed before it sinks.”