Murray proposes a mediator to help mitigate 520 bridge fix

OLYMPIA – A proposed replacement for the Highway 520 bridge has Seattle neighborhood groups and local political leaders at loggerheads over the potential impact of the construction of the new six-lane highway.

Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, is proposing legislation to help resolve these differences by bringing in a mediator.

“Everyone agrees it’s time to fix the 520 bridge,” said Murray. “But it’s also time for the neighborhoods to come together about how best to handle building a replacement. We can work through this, and I want to offer a path toward a constructive solution rather than risk the kind of conflict we see elsewhere in Seattle. In the end, those things just divide us – I think that’s an outcome we can avoid.”

Under Murray’s proposal, a state-hired mediator with planning staff expertise in urban, transportation and neighborhood planning would work collaboratively with neighborhood groups, as well as representatives from the Arboretum, the University of Washington and the City of Seattle to put together a construction impact and mitigation plan.

The plan would be submitted to the state Transportation Commission and would require approval from the Commission ninety days prior to the next Regional Transportation Investment District ballot in November.

The Washington State Department of Transportation has studied the issue and has identified potential mediators with the appropriate staff expertise, according to Murray.

Murray introduced Senate Bill 6099 today. It was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

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