We cannot wait to fix this nightmare

Much has been written in the past couple of months regarding improving the U.S. 2 trestle. It is very unfortunate that nothing was done to secure funding back in 2004, when it would have cost $345 million to replace the entire structure. Now, here we are a mere three years later and what will we be paying for? What the DOT calls “access ramps” (since they claim that capacity is not the problem) for $486 million. Construction, by the way, is not slated to begin until 2016.

In addition to the DOT, many public officials have said that we should “wait” until funding becomes available to fix the structure. Wait for what? Wait for tens of thousands of more residents to move to south Marysville, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe and all points in between? Wait until the cost rises into the billions? Wait until its takes over an hour to travel the 2-mile stretch at 5 a.m.? We cannot wait to fix this nightmare. Whether by creating a special taxing district, introducing tolls, requesting assistance from the federal government, or some other form, the time to act is now!

Will Brandt

Lake Stevens