SEATTLE — When a driver hits the brakes, friction releases copper shavings that fall onto the road and are eventually washed into rivers, where environmentalists say the metal could pose a hazard to marine life, especially salmon.
Washington state responded to the problem last month by becoming the first in the nation to pass a law to phase out the use of copper in brake pads. The move could eventually make copper-free pads the industry standard in the U.S.
The new law bans brake pads containing more than 5 percent copper starting in 2021.
New S. Royal Brougham Way bridge helps Safeco Field fans
Mariners fans heading to Monday’s home opener no longer had to walk across railroad tracks near Safeco Field.
Pedestrians and vehicles are using the new S. Royal Brougham Way bridge. It was celebrated in a ceremony Monday morning by Gov. Chris Gregoire and state Department of Transportation officials.
The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce reported the bypass is part of an $84.4 million project to improve the flow of car, freight, pedestrian and rail traffic around Seattle’s two sports stadiums.
As part of the ceremony, Port of Seattle officials signed an agreement to spend $300 million to help pay for the $3.1 billion project to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a bored tunnel.
Jury convicts man in killing of four neighbors in Kirkland
A jury in Seattle has returned a guilty verdict in the aggravated murder trial of a man accused of killing four of his Kirkland neighbors and burning their home.
Conner Schierman now could face the death penalty in the second phase of the trial.
He was convicted Monday of killing Olga Milkin, her sister and two children in 2006.
The case went to the King County Superior Court jury on Friday.
Defense attorney James Conroy said he disagrees with the verdict. He said he’ll persuade the jury not to impose the death penalty by showing Schierman is a good person.
Associated Press
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