Today Governor Chris Gregoire will sign a number of bills to move forward on the 520 bridge replacement project.  This legislation serves as an example that political, civic, labor, business and community interests can come together to find real solutions for the challenges facing our state – we thank them and you for making your voice heard. While there is still some work to be done, moving forward with this project today means a safer and more reliable transportation artery in the future.

Click here to download:

520 thanks032610v2TIMES.pdf (129 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

520 thanks032610v2TIMES.pdf (129 KB)

The Highway 520 floating bridge is an essential and critical piece of transportation infrastructure in the Puget Sound region that is vital to a large number of business, as well as thousands of individuals who commute daily across Lake Washington. The 520 bridge is 47 years old and is in much need of being replaced.  In fact state engineers warn it could sink in a major storm or earthquake. 

With its 2010 session, the Washington State legislature took major steps toward addressing these problems.  By passing legislation to authorize tolling and allow Eastside construction to begin, lawmakers kept alive and on-track a compromise design that has been 13 years in-the-making. We commend Governor Gregoire, state legislators, legislative leadership, legislative transportation champions and local government leaders who have helped bring this important project closer to reality.  

As bridge construction gets underway, we recognize that there is more work to be done to resolve several outstanding issues, including the Westside design.  But this most recent legislation will allow key elements of the project to continue while that additional design work is completed.  Microsoft looks forward to working with others as part of a broad coalition of civic leaders and organizations to address those issues and to keep the bridge construction project on track. 

Contact legislators and thank them for supporting the tolling authority and other steps necessary to keep the project moving forward. You can find your legislators here:  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx.  To confirm how House members voted, click here:  http://flooractivityext.leg.wa.gov/rollcall.aspx?id=34497&bienId=20, and to confirm how Senators voted, click here: http://flooractivityext.leg.wa.gov/rollcall.aspx?id=34814&bienId=20.   Call your legislators at this toll-free hotline:  1-800-562-6000 or send them an e-mail. 

SAMPLE E-MAIL TO SEND: I believe that the SR-520 bridge replacement and expansion project is critical for the future of the entire region.  Therefore, I want to thank you for supporting the legislation necessary to implement the previously approved tolling beginning in 2011, and to allow bridge construction and other upgrades in the SR-520 corridor to begin as soon as possible.  I recognize that additional work will be required on Westside design, but support the fact that this legislation will keep the project moving forward while that work continues.  We cannot afford further delays, and your leadership will help ensure a timely and cost-effective completion of this project for the region and state.  Thanks again.

Contact County Executive Dow Constantine and thank him for his leadership in keeping the project on track. Call Dow Constantine’s office: 206-296-4040 or email: kcexec@kingcounty.gov

EMAIL TO SEND: I believe that the SR-520 bridge replacement and expansion project is critical for the future of the entire region.  Therefore, I want to thank you for using your leadership to ensure that the project remains on track.  I support the compromise that will allow Seattle’s concerns regarding neighborhood impacts to be addressed going forward without requiring further delay in the project, which would have increased costs and further exposed King County commuters to potential safety problems on the old bridge.  Thanks again for keeping the project on track for a timely completion.

If you reside within the city of Seattle: Contact Mayor McGinn and the Seattle City Council members. Recognize that the compromise will allow the City’s concerns to be addressed without delaying construction of the bridge or decisions that have already been made.  Call the Mayor's office: (206) 684-4000 or contact via email here: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/citizen_response.htm

EMAIL TO SEND: I live in Seattle and I believe that the SR-520 bridge replacement and expansion project is critical for the future of the entire region.  Therefore, I want to thank the City of Seattle for supporting a compromise that will allow Westside design issues and neighborhood concerns to be addressed going forward without forcing additional delays in the project.  Such delays would increase costs and further expose Puget Sound-area commuters to potential safety problems on the old bridge.  I encourage you to work with the State DOT and other stakeholders to keep the project on track for a timely completion.

 The Highway 520 floating bridge is an essential and critical piece of transportation infrastructure in the Puget Sound region that is vital to a large number of business, as well as thousands of individuals who commute daily across Lake Washington. The 520 bridge is 47 years old and is in much need of being replaced.  In fact state engineers warn it could sink in a major storm or earthquake.  After 13 years of deliberation and outreach, there is finally an agreed-upon design and funding plan for a new bridge that the state could be ready to begin construction for commuters. Contracts are in place to begin building the new bridge pontoons in Grays Harbor County. We commend Governor Gregoire, state legislators, and local leaders who have helped bring this important project closer to reality.  

While there are still some final design issues that need to be resolved with the City of Seattle, we should not let last-minute objections undermine the hard-won agreements already in place for the rest of the project. Doing so would cause yet more delay, increase the cost to taxpayers, and put this vital transportation and economic corridor at risk. 

Microsoft is part of a broad coalition of civic leaders and organizations that is urging decisive action now. Please join us in sending a clear message to Olympia: It’s time to move forward so we can start construction on the new 520 bridge.

Click here to download:

microsoft_520_Seattle_Times_021910v1.pdf (227 KB)

(download)

Click here to download:

microsoft_520_Seattle_Times_021910v1.pdf (227 KB)

Contact your legislators and urge them to focus on the tolling authority and other steps necessary to keep the project moving forward. Call your state legislator at this toll-free hotline: 1-800-562-6000 or find your legislator here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx 

EMAIL TO SEND: I believe that the SR-520 bridge replacement and expansion project is critical for the future of the entire region.  Therefore, I urge you to support legislation necessary to implement the previously approved tolling beginning in 2011, and to allow bridge construction and other upgrades in the SR-520 corridor to begin as soon as possible.  We cannot afford further delays in this project, and I hope that you will do everything you can to keep the project on track.

Contact County Executive Dow Constantine and encourage him to use his leadership to keep the project on track. Call Dow Constantine’s office: 206-296-4040 or email: kcexec@kingcounty.gov

EMAIL TO SEND: I believe that the SR-520 bridge replacement and expansion project is critical for the future of the entire region.  Therefore, I urge you to use your leadership to ensure that the project remains on track.  I believe that Seattle’s concerns regarding neighborhood impacts can be addressed without requiring further delay in the project, which would increase costs and further expose King County commuters to potential safety problems on the old bridge.  Please help keep the project on track for a timely completion.

If you reside within the city of Seattle: Contact Mayor McGinn and the Seattle City Council members. Encourage them to keep this project on track and not support any efforts to delay construction of the bridge or decisions that have already been made.  Call the Mayor's office: (206) 684-4000 or contact via email here: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/citizen_response.htm

EMAIL TO SEND: I live in Seattle and I believe that the SR-520 bridge replacement and expansion project is critical for the future of the entire region.  Therefore, I urge you to support the existing compromise design for the bridge, including lanes to accommodate carpools and vanpools, which are proven strategies for reducing congestion.  Any further delays in the project, would increase costs and further expose Puget Sound-area commuters to potential safety problems on the old bridge.  Please keep the project on track for a timely completion.

Washington State Department of Transportation SR 520 Legislative Workgroup: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/partners/sr520legislativeworkgroup/recommendations.htm

Washington State Department of Transportation SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr520bridge/

Video - Washington State Department of Transportation SR 520 Floating Bridge: Simulated failure by earthquake:  

Video - Washington State Department of Transportation SR 520 Floating Bridge: Option A Design Simulation:

• King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO
• Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce
• Washington Roundtable
• AAA Washington
• Associated General Contractors
• King County Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO
• Iron Workers District Council, Pacific Northwest
• Laborers Local 440
• Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO
• City of Bellevue
• Bellevue Downtown Association
• Bellevue Chamber of Commerce
• City of Clyde Hill
• City of Redmond
• Teamsters Union Local 174
• Operating Engineers Local 302
• International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 19
• Port Blakely Companies
• University Park Community Club
• Ravenna-Bryant Community Association
• Town of Beaux-Arts Village
• Town of Hunts Point
• City of Kirkland
• Pacific Merchant Shipping Association
• University District Community Council
• Town of Yarrow Point
• City of Medina
• Greater University Chamber of Commerce
• The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce