Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Anyone else worried about the viaduct and 520….?
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March 25, 2008 at 4:09 pm #586615
RainyDay1235MemberMy husband thinks despite the housing market – we might have to move from WS by next year…
We work in Redmond and use I-90. But 520 TOLLS will surely put more cars on 90, not to mention the other traffic problems that could arise due to losing the VIADUCT for an unkown amount of time? Leaving sooner than later might give us a better chance to sell BEFORE the WS market is (even more) affected by these changes.
All speculation at this point – but is anyone else worried about this?
I don’t know if I’m ready to be an Eastsider yet!
March 25, 2008 at 4:14 pm #619940
AnonymousInactiveWe use the Viaduct everyday (for a short commute), but would definitely be affected if it were to close.
We would never consider moving, but it could really suck for a while.
March 25, 2008 at 4:29 pm #619941
beachdrivegirlParticipantAlthough I dont use the Viaduct daily I can definiltly see where it will cause a problem for all commuters when it will close. As it is, the back-up to get on I5 is awful most weekday mornings…I cant imagine what will happen when the Viaduct is closed. In fact, I am a bit surprised that they didnt try to make it a little more efficient (by possible adding a lane or something) last summer when they had all of the construction on I5.
March 25, 2008 at 4:34 pm #619942
AnonymousInactiveI thought I read that part of the bridge (Spokane street viaduct) is being widened as well in 2009. It is going to be a total nightmare for the one in our house that commutes on I90. There’s just no way we could move though. I think the job might go first.
The current plan is to leave way early and set up somewhere with a book/sketch pad and call it personal time.
March 25, 2008 at 4:44 pm #619943
KayleighMemberI vowed to keep my commute short by 1. Live and work on the same side of downtown 2. Live and work on the same side of the lake.
In other words, I won’t live south of downtown and work in north Seattle, won’t live on the west side and work on the Eastside, etc.
As such, my current commute to Capitol Hill is awful enough.
March 25, 2008 at 4:47 pm #619944
AnonymousInactiveJT – You’re an artist? Would you be willing to donate any artwork to the fundraiser?
March 25, 2008 at 5:11 pm #619945
JanSParticipantKayleigh…do you ever go up to Beacon Hill and take 15th S going north thru the Int’l. District to get to Capitol Hill (15th turns into 12th.S by some magic right past Amazon – lol. Or sometimes I go to 23rd S (go straight across Rainier Ave.)…and just go thru the CD…I have docs on Cap. Hill..and it takes me about 20-25 minutes at the most…as long as the bridge is flowing OK…
March 25, 2008 at 6:02 pm #619946
charlabobParticipantRD, you are so right. I commute to the eastside at least three times a week. (As a consultant, I have the luxury of working at home as much as I want…when I become full time, that will be limited to once a week.) Even without tolls, and with reasonable flexible hours, the commute is hell. I currently can’t walk from transit to my office — but even when I can the transit schedule seldom fits mine.
I’m not ready to be an eastsider either. I still harbor dreams of working on this side of the water again…although when I come across the WS bridge in the morning, the exits to 99 and 1st are usually more unpleasant than the exit to 90.
We need transit and we need it NOW.
I’m sure 90 will have tolls shortly after 520 does. Because they can.
One thing to watch out for: there’s currently mumbling about privatizing the bridges (and freeways and …) If you think toll bridges are horrible, imagine those tolls in the hands of folks who don’t have to answer to the people. And if you don’t believe me, ask the people of Indiana whose turnpike is now owned by Australians. (Sorry, guys, but everything really is political.) :-)
“So long and thanks for ALL the fish” — go read Douglas Adams; that’s an order
March 26, 2008 at 6:36 am #619947
JanSParticipantI really sympathize with the commuters who have to put up with…”how do I get there from here?” Now, don’t anyone yell at me…I work at home, and my motto these days is…Viaduct? What viaduct? lol
yes, I know that’s not an option for some, but…I just love my commute >;)
March 26, 2008 at 7:17 pm #619948
JenVMemberI remember when they shut the Viaduct down for a few days after the quake in ’01. I was living in the junction and my job was on Elliot Ave near the base of Magnolia bridge. It took me THREE HOURS just to get from my home to Safeco Field, where I stopped and called my boss to let him know it would be at least another three hours to get in. Obviously no one on our city council or in our state government had to sit thru that, but a lot of people from here did. That is what people would look forward to every day if the Gov and Hizzoner get what they want. I don’t know anything about the eastside commute, but I have an idea what that would be like as well. That being said, I also live and work in West Seattle, but I have a long memory and lots of empathy for the people who will be affected by this.
March 26, 2008 at 7:37 pm #619949
JanSParticipantJenV…I consider myself extremely lucky that I can work at home. I can’t imagine that kind of a commute…wow…
March 26, 2008 at 7:42 pm #619950
beachdrivegirlParticipantJenV-your post scares me!! I work right by Safeco field, so I take the first avenue south exit daily and it takes me 20 minutes max to get to work (that is if I hit every red light…) frightening to think that shuch a “short” commute could become hours….
March 26, 2008 at 11:03 pm #619951
JenVMemberBDG- you could walk to work quicker than it took me to drive that day!! :) Anyone else have similar stories from that awful period?
March 27, 2008 at 12:14 am #619952
beachdrivegirlParticipantI have been meaning to get to the gym more lately…looks like that wont be needed after all! :)
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