How stupid can it get: none of the options regarding the viaduct will replace the capacity of the present structure! (Herald 11/26/08). All of these options will cost billions; none of the "guesstimates" can be relied on and have been changed many times by the Department of Transportation. All will result in years of traffic disruption-in a city that already ranks second or third in the nation for traffic congestion! All will eliminate thousands of jobs and result in billions of dollars in business losses.

None of these problems are necessary. The only option than makes sense is not, and has never been, seriously considered: retrofit. Some of the best engineers in Washington State have proven that a retrofit could be effectively done at a fraction of the cost and with no, or minimal, traffic disruption necessitated by the other options being considered. The viaduct has carried traffic for seven years since the Nisqually earthquake. Only two of the 64 spans were damaged and were repaired. Two columns (Bents) settled a negligible 4 1/2 inches over 60 to 70 foot spans. A $4 million foundation improvement has been completed to correct this problem. The engineer's plan for the retrofit includes dampered braces and grade beam foundation stabilization. Also recommended is soil improvement through cement jet grouting which is the same as prescribed for a new rebuild.

There is no good reason to tear down our viaduct and every reason - economic and practical - to preserve it. I urge everyone to attend a public meeting December 15 at Town Hall and protest this senseless waste of billions of taxpayer dollars.

H. E. Bud Shasteen

People Against Rip-Offs