Tell Coast Guard to keep bridge open

By Tom Rasmussen

West Seattle residents and businesses will see major road projects in the West Seattle bridge corridor begin in the next several years. Construction to widen and improve the Spokane Street viaduct and the inevitable Alaskan Way viaduct project may cause tremendous traffic delays. City, state, the Port of Seattle and federal agencies must work together to minimize the disruption and difficulty that the projects could cause.

As a resident of West Seattle I know that we have few alternatives for traveling to or from the West Seattle peninsula and when something happens like a traffic accident or a bridge opening we are stuck. I understand that the investigation of a serious accident can take hours. But many times I have sat in my car wondering why in the world a ship has to leave or enter the Duwamish River during rush hour.

Earlier this year I requested the Seattle Department of Transportation to ask the U.S. Coast Guard to restrict bridge openings during rush hours. In February, the department sent a letter to the Coast Guard requesting that the bridge remain closed and not be opened for two hours in the morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and two hours in the afternoon from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. except for large vessels that must move during high tides.

I am concerned about the impact on our manufacturing and industrial businesses and the businesses and residents of the entire Southwest Seattle area due to the congestion and traffic delays caused by the construction. Traffic will be further delayed if the bridge continues to open during peak hours as it now does. Air pollution occurs because of the idling vehicles, fuel is wasted, and precious time is lost time to workers, commuters, transit and freight.

You can help to influence the decision. The Coast Guard announced a 60-day public comment period on the peak hour closure proposal. The comment period closes July 21. I urge all who use the West Seattle bridge corridor to write in support of restricting the openings during the peak hours.

If you wish to submit comments by U.S. mail, by fax, or by Internet here is the contact information: (1) Online: http://www.regulations.gov. (2) Mail: Docket Management Facility(M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E., Washington, DC 20590-0001; (3) Fax: 202-493-2251.

If you have questions on this proposal you may contact me at: tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov or call Austin Pratt, chief, bridge section, Waterways Management Branch, 13th Coast Guard District at 206-220-7282.

Tom Rasmussen is a member of the Seattle City Council.