Address it or region will slowly die

Published 9:00 pm Monday, November 6, 2006

I spent my youth traveling the entire United States and abroad. On a trip from Los Angeles to Alaska, I stopped in Seattle and stayed. After 50 years I am still here and will remain. We are very fortunate to live in a wonderful area like this.

As the area grew I watched various problems arise, but none as severe as our present traffic gridlock. At one point, the voters turned down the necessary Forward Thrust bond issue. This area will slowly die if we do not fix the problem.

First, establish a sole agency responsible for a total solution.

Second, abolish the numerous government committees that have no real function except interference.

Third, develop a comprehensive plan to resolve the combined elements of the problem – roads, bridges and tunnels.

Fourth, alert the population that no solution of this magnitude is going to be 100 percent perfect. Some people will not like the solution (“not in my back yard”). The solution will require great financial pain. Design of the project must be close to perfection. Concentrate on roadways, not sound walls and median tree planting. Construction contractors must have iron- clad contracts with no allowed overruns. Committees must not be formed to “study” the problem indefinitely at large costs.

Now, the challenge: Accept the fact that we have a mess and admit that we are the only ones who can get us out of it. Create an organization that will be responsible for your future. When the cost figures arrive they break your heart. Vote for the funds to fix your future, or stand by and wait for the area to slowly die through transportation strangulation

Paul Minneman

Everett