I
recently received notice I-90 travel surveys were due to be returned to the
Washington State Department of Transportation by Tuesday, November 26. The
survey results will help “inform WSDOT study of the potential effects of different
I-90 tolling options between Seattle and Bellevue could have on Mercer Island”.
All
this is part of a WSDOT “comprehensive
environmental review of tolling Interstate 90 between I-5 and I-405 to
manage traffic and provide funding for construction of the unfunded SR 520 Program from
I-5 to Medina”.
The WSDOT is apparently receiving $8.32 million of
federal and state funding for the environmental
review. It’s not clear what Mercer
Island has spent on their “No-Tolls-On I-90” effort.
All
of this seems rather bizarre. The
fundamental problem is the 15,000 vehicles a day added to I-90 traffic since
520 tolling began have increased congestion there and reduced 520 tolling
revenue. Obviously one way to
alleviate both problems is to add tolls to I-90. They would provide added revenue, eliminate the incentive
for those avoiding tolls to use I-90, and also encourage all I-90 commuters to
car pool. It doesn’t take millions
of dollars and months of study to reach that conclusion.
A far
better way to deal with the I-90 congestion and 520 funding is for Mercer
Island to use the permitting process to stop East Link. The fact that Sound Transit has
blatantly lied for years about the “benefits” of light rail is surely ample
legal ground for doing so.
“Persuade” Sound Transit to use the $2.8 billion East Link funding to
eliminate the need for tolling on either bridge. If they fail, not only will their commuters be faced
with tolls, their easy commute into Seattle will change forever in 2016 when the
I-90 Bridge center roadway is closed down for light rail.
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