New South Park Bridge closer to reality? Potential “progress report”

| South Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photo by, and used with permission of, Paul Gordon)
Speaking on KUOW Radio half an hour ago, South Park Neighborhood Association president Dagmar Cronn revealed she’d just gotten word of a 3 pm Wednesday event at the South Park Bridge with news of funding for a new one and high-ranking elected officials in attendance. That day will mark exactly one week prior to its permanent shutdown. Cronn told KUOW she’d gotten word from the county, so we checked with King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s office, which confirms they’re working on a “progress report” event tentatively planned for Wednesday – though not confirming any details of what’ll be said, or who will be there. (As noted in our report on Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark‘s appearance at the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council this past Wednesday, she said she expected news of a “double digit” state contribution soon; she was questioned about the council’s announcement this week that they would pledge $15 million. The total cost of a new bridge is estimated at more than $120 million.) 2:01 PM P.S.: County Councilmember Jan Drago‘s office points out that the proposal to raise $31 million for the bridge through bond sales is up for a full King County Council vote on Monday.

P.S. Not only is Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) planning a “South Park Bridge Memorial” on shutdown day, June 30th – now they’re selling T-shirts to benefit South Park’s Providence Regina House Clothing/Food Bank; the image is a little too raw to show here but click to see it on the Feedback’s home page.

Teri June 18, 2010 (1:40 pm)

Love Providence Regina House. Love the Feedback Lounge. Love the T-shirt–not sure I have the guts to wear it, but will buy one.

Born To Be Mild June 18, 2010 (2:44 pm)

Sometimes a bridge is just a bridge…

dsa June 18, 2010 (3:16 pm)

31 million? WSB last reported Seattle city council pledged 15. More is better, if the mayor doesn’t get involved.

But I’m concerned about where the other players are. I don’t remember hearing a commentment from WSDOT who should want to keep extra traffic off SR509 as they plan to extend that to I-5.

And where is Tukwila’s money? They own half the bridge.

I don’t understand why the feds would want to cooperate without local support.

WSB June 18, 2010 (3:19 pm)

31 million is the county commitment as noted in the story, not the city. The city’s commitment so far remains $15 million. Unfortunately there are three different councils mentioned in this story in the span of two sentences and “county” in front of Jan Drago’s name may not make it clear enough, so I’ll add one more “county” there … TR

sophista-tiki June 18, 2010 (6:04 pm)

” sometimes a bridge is just a bridge” must not ever use the South Park bridge. Its my main way in and out of the hood and without it its like having an arm cut off. So THIS bridge is just a bit more important.