Sam Churchill shares a long list of issues with the project
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and do not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
As a Hayden Island resident, I have concerns about the proposed Interstate Bridge replacement.
Bridge issues:
- The Interstate Bridge Replacement Plan doesn’t yet know what the design is.
- The cost estimate is inaccurate. How much more than $3.5B-$5B WILL it cost?
- The Vancouver ramps (in sandy soil) would be the steepest in the country (6.7%). Dangerous. A lawsuit.
- The 3.9% incline of the bridge slows trucks by 20 mph, causing congestion. The 3.9% descent causes accidents when wet.
- Coast Guard requires 178 ft of clearance. NOT 116 ft.
- Bridge pylon rebar must go down 350 ft to hit solid ground.
- Is the license plate database sold? To whom?
- Architectural projects now provide photo-realistic rendering, often with full motion simulation. The WSDOT/ODOT drawings are inaccurate and frankly laughable. For example, light rail lacks ANY overhead catenary power infrastructure.
Island issues:
- Max train can offer NO Express service. Too many stops. Slow and inconvenient.
- The Bridge toll kills Hayden Island’s Mall.
- Manheim’s Car auction will close, taking dozens of local businesses with it.
- What reparations for loss of Mall, businesses, housing, pollution, noise, tolls, property values.
- How is Hayden Island’s large Latino and minority population served?
One bridge option is NOT an option.
- A lift or bascule bridge solves the height problem.
- An immersed tunnel solves the ramp safety violations.
- A tunnel for mass transit (a la Musk or other) is cheaper and safer.
In conclusion, the IBR project appears to violate basic safety considerations with ramps that are too steep and a height that slows traffic.
The bulk of the budget is spent “fixing” the raised highway problem, north and south of the bridge. Not the bridge. It destroys the economic vitality of Hayden Island and its future.
The height of the bridge is the main problem. That could be solved with a lift bridge or an immersed tunnel.
Sam Churchill
Hayden Island resident
Also read:
- POLL: Did the Clark County Council make the right decision by rejecting the auditor authority proposal?
The 3-2 council vote rejected giving the auditor’s office power to write financial impact statements for ballot measures. - Opinion: Hospital price transparency is good, but its impact will be limited
Washington still shields hospitals from competition through certificate-of-need laws other states have repealed. - Opinion: Washington tax collections are running below forecast as the economy softens
Washington’s tax collections are $135.4 million behind forecast since February as employment and revenue both slip. - Opinion: Washington’s Attorney General offers strong defense of signature gatherers’ rights
AG Nick Brown urges 39 county prosecutors to protect signature gatherers from harassment and theft. - Letter: The IBR’s concrete obscenity
Bob Ortblad argues $17.7 billion buys one extra lane for five miles — and 30 years of debt for future generations.
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