Part of the $16.8 billion state transportation package is a replacement for the U.S. 2 trestle. I hope all parties involved in its design are far-sighted enough to build it beyond “just enough to get by” as is typically done. I hope it does not end up being just another expanded rush hour parking lot, which is what it is now.

Build it not just for today, but for many years to come. Remember how I-405 was obsolete before it was off the drawing board and the rush hour mess it is now? Please learn from that.

That will require expanded on- and off-ramp lanes for Highway 204 and SE 20th plus widening of SE 20th and I-5 both north and south bound. That would include at least six lanes in both directions on I-5 up through at least Smokey Point. Highway 204 also needs to be widened to at least four lanes with dual on ramps onto west bound U.S. 2. As it is now, it backs up nearly two miles coming down the hill at peak morning rush hour.

Please use the taxpayers dollars wisely and build a noticeably improved road system. It is far cheaper to build more lanes all at once than it is to build “just enough” now and then expand it some more in several years.

Richard Quint

Everett