The brief week end the viaduct closed recently for a walk over and inspection demonstrated that the Spokane street viaduct, I-5, the streets of Seattle all became gridlocked. If the viaduct is closed for replacement construction the cost of construction will represent one-quarter to one-sixth the cost of the time and fuel and auto-truck damage including engine transmission wear and fender benders that will result from the traffic congestion. The Jam of Seattle.

I was involved in a service company - Industrial Roofing. Trucks would leave our plant at 7:15 a.m. to drive to a work site. The cost of a normal 30 minute trip to the customer would cost us, hence the customer $120 each way every day the crew was on that job.

With the viaduct closed the cost would be three times that, or $720 per crew day? This also shortens the work day so the number of dollars in transit charged to the job is double? Shorten the math to make the cost $1,040 per day add to what the job would have cost per day. That about doubles the cost of the labor on the job.

Now imagine that delay is going to happen to every driver that must enter Seattle during the six years they imagine it will close the viaduct to build a tunnel or a new viaduct.

250,000 trips a day for 6 years x an extra $20 hour + fuel and auto costs of $6 an hour? You may have more accurate numbers.

250,000x360x6 x 26 is a rough cost to Seattle people. No federal relief. No taxpayers supplementing this cost to we in Seattle.

Not going to drive into Seattle so it won't bother you? What about the services the originate in Seattle? Do you use any? You will pay even if you don't own a car or leave home. That cost will affect every one of us. And the cost? $14 Billion But it will not be felt?

When did you last spend an extra hour getting where you were going? Won't feel It?

So what choice do we have? Only 10 percent of the viaduct as it is is slightly damaged. Somewhat worn. Surfaces weathered. Experts say it is repairable. Re-enforceable.

Modern methods can return the original strength to the viaduct without removing or replacing any part of it. Modern SBS modified asphalt surfacing can smooth the surface, quiet the noise. Reduce the impact of trucks going over the steel plates. White Acoustic surfaces on the under side each deck can further quiet & lighten the viaduct. The viaduct does not need to be shut down during high traffic for any of this work.

Spend a few million on the viaduct. Not the visible $4 billion and the invisible $14 billion.

We don't know when of or if the next earthquake will hit the viaduct. We don't know that it will be damaged. We don't know that any structure we build will survive the next earthquake. Only the parking garages and front row of the new high rise real estate will be at the level of the viaduct. The viaduct allows easy travel from city to water front. More access to waterfront than would a tunnel or a 8 lane stop & go surface street.

Avoid the jam or Seattle. Put the visible $4 billion where it is needed. Don't let the $14 billion happen to Seattle. Build the sea wall. It may be important to the viaduct structure.

Bob Norsen

Fauntleroy