Closing the South Park Bridge: when government fails us

The closure of the South Park Bridge in Seattle highlights a failure of government at all levels. Public officials only needed $130 million to repair the bridge but didn't make it a priority until after the bridge was closed. It's ironic that public officials now parade around and celebrate funding when they are the ones to blame for closing the bridge in the first place.

A new study released by King County now shows there are more roads and bridges at risk of closure. Scott Gutierrez at the PI has a good summary including the following key findings:

• About 110 miles of arterial roads are nearing the end of their useful life and are in need of complete reconstruction.
• Thirty-five bridges need to be replaced by 2040, but 28 of them have no funding for replacement.
• Other than the widening of Novelty Hill Road in East King County, no more funding is available for projects aimed at reducing traffic congestion.
• Deteriorating roads and bridges will cause partial or complete closures, lengthy detours and load limits imposed on trucks.
• Half or more of the county's drainage infrastructure that prevents flooding cannot be adequately maintained with current and future resources.
• Less than 60 percent of overall system maintenance and preservation needs can be met in the coming years.
• Due to budget revenue shortfalls, county officials will start scaling back on plowing and clearing snow and ice to preserve resources for key arterials during the winter, possibly as soon as this year.
• A major flood or windstorm could cripple the ability of road crews to quickly repair significant damage in the seasons ahead.
• Roadside litter pick-up will be eliminated, starting in 2011.

The South Park Bridge carried about 20k people per day, which is about the same amount as Sound Transit's Central Link light rail. Repairing the bridge is only $130 million. Building Central Link was $2.6 billion. Priorities matter. Where we spend our money matters.