Feds fund unneeded $260,000 bridge in Bothell

Published 1:14 pm Thursday, October 14, 2010

BOTHELL — A nice new wooden pedestrian bridge arches over a creek on a trail through a Bothell business park.

But some users like Tom Tangen told The Seattle Times it’s “kind of embarrassing” because the bridge is not needed.

The $260,000 bridge, built with federal stimulus money, is just 20 steps from a sidewalk that also crosses the creek.

The federal money was distributed by the Puget Sound Regional Council, and the Bothell bridge project was “shovel ready” in early 2009.

City spokeswoman Joy Johnston said the 12-foot-wide bridge is safer than the 5-foot sidewalk along the street.