JUST DO SOMETHING PEOPLE!

The die had seemingly been cast: The governor, many neighbors and state transportation officials agreed the crowded four-lane Evergreen Point Bridge should be replaced with a new six-lane span by 2014.

It would be bigger than the current 45-year-old bridge, with shoulders and a bike lane, and lanes for carpools and mass transit, where growing numbers of commuters seem to be heading as gas prices rise. Estimated cost: up to $3.9 billion.

But Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi believes that's not enough. His transportation plan calls for replacing the bridge with "a structure capable of eight lanes using large dual pontoons" and says added lanes could be used for transit. Rossi's estimated cost: $3.3 billion (yes, cheaper than the estimated cost of a six-lane option).

"We have to have greater capacity" on the crossing, Rossi said. "The bridge has been the same since I was 2 years old."

But Rossi's opponent, Gov. Chris Gregoire, and others have focused on the six-lane option since state studies concluded that an eight-lane bridge would be far more costly and create too much traffic congestion on Interstate 5 in Seattle to be worth pursuing.

Gregoire said Rossi's dream of building an eight-lane structure cheaper than a six-lane span is "complete silliness. It doesn't work."

And she and other backers of a six-lane design think it's too late to resurrect an idea they thought was buried. A majority of state lawmakers approved a six-lane configuration, and she said local leaders agreed to compromise on six lanes to settle a four-versus-eight lane argument.

"We've had a decision (for a six-lane design), and that decision should not be re-opened," said Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin.

Connections to a six-lane bridge would include widening part of the southbound tunnel lane and shoulder from I-5 to the eastbound 520 lanes. From northbound I-5, the onramp to 520 would be widened to two lanes. A bus-only ramp would connect to the I-5 express lanes, carrying bus and carpool traffic westbound in the morning and eastbound in the evening, reflecting traffic directions on the express lanes. Four elevated street bridges would be rebuilt to accommodate the wider highway.

According to state studies, an eight-lane bridge would also require new capacity on I-5 to accommodate increased traffic from a new bridge, much of which would course through downtown Seattle toward Interstate 90.

Engineers calculated that this would require tunneling under I-5, adding elevated lanes or creating new frontage roads to the side of it, with the third options appearing the most cost-effective. Lanes also would have to be added northbound, requiring excavating into Capitol Hill, they said.

"You chase the problem to I-5," said Ron Paananen, the state transportation department's deputy urban corridor's manager: "You chase the problem to I-90."

Based on this analysis, Gregoire supported a six-lane design, which is being discussed in a mediation process approved by the Legislature and extending to the end of this year.

"As far as I'm concerned, (eight lanes) is not an active issue," said Jonathan Dubman, who represents Seattle's Montlake neighborhood on the 34-member mediation panel.

In 2003, the state estimated an eight-lane span would cost $5 billion to $6 billion. Paananen thinks the cost might be closer to $7 billion to $8 billion now just for the bridge and its connections to I-5 and I-405.

Project Director Julie Meredith said the 2003 estimate included about $2 billion just to connect the bigger span to I-5. Connections to both I-5 and I-405 would be costly and difficult, she said. Estimated costs for connecting a six-lane bridge to I-5 range from $180 million to $260 million.

In an interview Wednesday, Rossi said an eight-lane bridge is what's needed, eventually if not immediately, to cope with the region's growing population.

His idea: build at least a six-lane bridge set on pontoons wide enough to accommodate one more lane in each direction, then add two more lanes once the money is found for them.

His plan comes at a time when commuters have faced rising gasoline prices and appear to be driving less and riding transit more. But Rossi is convinced people will continue to drive and new sources of propulsion such as fuel cells will power their vehicles.

Forcing people out of cars, he said, "is not going to happen."

Other proponents of the wider bridge say the state's analysis of the eight-lane option is flawed.

Jim MacIsaac, a retired planner and member of the Eastside Transportation Association, thinks the state wrongly assumed congestion on I-5 included vehicles from 520.

He said 40 percent of the westbound 520 traffic would exit at Montlake, near the University of Washington. Rossi agrees.

"It was Seattle traffic that filled up the capacity the model was showing for I-5, and it had nothing to do with additional lanes on I-5," MacIsaac said. Asked about this, state consultant Michael Horntvedt said the problem was more vehicles using side streets as well as added traffic from 520.

Rossi's cost estimate is lower than the state's. As with other costs in Rossi's plan, the figure is stated for comparison purposes in 2007 dollars, which don't account for future inflation.

This was done, a campaign spokeswoman said, to get comparable figures for all the projects in Rossi's plan. State estimates are "year-of-expenditure" figures that included estimated inflation during construction.

Ross said if it costs more than he estimates he'll look for savings in other major projects or consider allocating more auto-sales tax revenue to the work.

"If you worry about that you're missing the point," he said. "The point is we need to do this."

He blames "a failure in leadership" for lack of a plan for the eight-lane span. Rossi backers are excited about the idea.

An eight-lane configuration is "absolutely imperative," said Kemper Freeman Jr., a well-known Eastside developer. "I can't believe we're thinking of anything else."

Rossi said his idea isn't aimed at getting votes on the Eastside, where he said, "I already have a lot of support."

But Gregoire recalled leaders already studied the eight-lane proposal and discovered the high costs and traffic complications that left people saying, "No, thank you."

She said an eight-lane project isn't realistic now politically because of opposition in Seattle, where neighborhoods are "not going allow an eight-lane bridge today to land on the west side without litigation and litigation and litigation."

Both Rossi and Gregoire said if a six-lane bridge is built now it could be expanded if communities decide to do so. A key difference is that Rossi's plan would include pontoons large enough for all eight lanes; a six-lane plan design reduces some upfront cost by leaving the expansion upgrade until later.

The two politicians espouse different views about the future of transportation. Rossi advocates added highway capacity as a way to keep people and goods moving.

While in the Legislature, "I worked hard in the Senate to get the five-lane expansion on Highway 202 from Sahalee (Way) west and the new flyover on 520," he said. "I can't tell you how many ... of my neighbors have come up to thank me. It adds 45 minutes to an hour a day with their families."

Gregoire thinks commuting and transportation are changing and projects should reflect this.

"With high gas prices (people) are getting out of cars," she said. Buses are full, and park-and-rides are full. ... Our challenge now is to get them options," such as transit on dedicated lanes.

"Just building a new lane, a new road, is yesterday's thinking."
(Source)

McCain’s Conservative Model? Roosevelt (Theodore, That Is)

Mr. McCain, who with his wife, Cindy, has an adopted daughter, said flatly that he opposed allowing gay couples to adopt. “I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption,” he said. . .

He opposes gay marriage and gay adoption, and I oppose a geriatric in the White House. Fair enough John, now go drink your Ensure.

OK, I'm back to being a good person. 

CLARK: MCCAIN LACKS COMMAND EXPERIENCE

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a former Democratic presidential candidate now supporting Barack Obama, said Sunday John McCain's military service does not automatically qualify him to be commander in chief.

Click here for the rest.

SEATTLE, HERE ARE SOME OPTIONS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE VIADUCT

As you know if you live in the Seattle area, there are plans to shut down the Alaskan Viaduct, and now some options have been revealed, and those options being studied are:

• A four-lane viaduct extending from South King Street to Bell Street, where it would rise above ground and connect to the Battery Street Tunnel through an elevated interchange similar to the current one. It would be smaller than the current viaduct. The concept assumes handling some trips on a reopened waterfront streetcar line and a new streetcar route to First Hill and Capitol Hill. It also would add bus lanes on eight downtown streets and adding a northbound lane and a "managed lane" -- possibly tolled -- on Interstate 5. Estimated top speed: 50 mph.
• A four-lane viaduct extending from South King Street to about Lenora Street, where it would drop to street level and connect on the surface to the tunnel via Elliott and Western. The idea assumes streetcar lines connecting the International District to Seattle Center as well as to First Hill and Capitol Hill. The structure would have one level for traffic, have a park on top and space below for offices or retail, to pay part of the cost. Estimated top speed: 40 mph.

Both elevated options assume conversion of Mercer Street to two-way traffic between I-5 and Seattle Center.

• A four-lane, two-mile tunnel bored underground between South Royal Brougham Way and Harrison Street, first carrying traffic under Western Avenue and Post Alley. The alternative assumes streetcar lines on the waterfront and to First Hill and Capitol Hill, a northbound transit lane on I-5. Surface traffic would follow Western Avenue and the former viaduct corridor. Estimated speed 50 mph.
• A shorter four-lane tunnel, dug from above ground between South King and Pike streets, connecting to the Battery Street tunnel under Western and Elliott. This assumes expansion of a park and ride facility in Lake Forest Park, 10-minute "Rapid Ride" Metro bus service to Lake City, added lane capacity on I-5, transit lanes on nine streets and streetcar lines to First Hill and Capitol Hill and to Seattle Center via First Avenue.
• A "surface" traffic option shifting traffic onto Alaskan Way and improving capacity of several downtown streets in addition to streetcar service to the waterfront and First Hill and Capitol Hill. The option would add 16 new traffic signals on Alaskan Way, four more on Western and Elliott near the connection to the Battery Street Tunnel and five on Aurora Avenue north of Denny Way. It assumes a "managed" lane on I-5 and two-way traffic on Fifth Avenue downtown and on Mercer traffic to Seattle Center. Estimated speed: 30 mph.
• A second "surface" option, similar to the first but with a two-block elevated section between Stewart and Lenora as well as two new streetcar lines. It assumes capacity on two more lanes of I-5, more transit service on downtown streets, expanding vehicle capacity on nine downtown streets and two-way traffic on Fifth Avenue downtown and on Mercer traffic to Seattle Center. Estimated speed: 30 mph.
• A third "surface" option similar to the second but with waterfront traffic handled using six lanes on Alaskan Way and Western Avenue. Estimated speed: 30 mph. With all three "surface" Third Avenue would be restricted to transit traffic downtown and 10-minute Metro "Rapid Ride" service is assumed on Aurora Avenue, West Mercer and from West Seattle.
• A partially lidded trench dug from above ground between Yesler Way and Union Street that would distribute traffic to and from the Battery Street Tunnel on the surface on Elliott and Western avenues and through several signals. It would provide four lanes of traffic in each direction on two levels and would have walls along open portions. The highway would be elevated between Stewart and Blanchard streets. It also assumes two new streetcar lines, two-way Mercer traffic to Seattle Center and more transit service on eight downtown streets as well as new lane capacity on I-5. Estimated speed: 40 mph.

(Source)

GET YOUR BLUETOOTH EARPIECES NOW!

If you live in Washington State, get ready for July 1!

RCW 46.61.667

Using a wireless communications device while driving. (Effective July 1, 2008.)

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person operating a moving motor vehicle while holding a wireless communications device to his or her ear is guilty of a traffic infraction.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to a person operating:

(a) An authorized emergency vehicle, or a tow truck responding to a disabled vehicle;

(b) A moving motor vehicle using a wireless communications device in hands-free mode;

(c) A moving motor vehicle using a hand-held wireless communications device to:

(i) Report illegal activity;

(ii) Summon medical or other emergency help;

(iii) Prevent injury to a person or property;

(d) A moving motor vehicle while using a hearing aid.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section does not restrict the operation of an amateur radio station by a person who holds a valid amateur radio operator license issued by the federal communications commission.

(4) For purposes of this section, "hands-free mode" means the use of a wireless communications device with a speaker phone, headset, or earpiece.

(5) The state preempts the field of regulating the use of wireless communications devices in motor vehicles, and this section supersedes any local laws, ordinances, orders, rules, or regulations enacted by a political subdivision or municipality to regulate the use of wireless communications devices by the operator of a motor vehicle.

(6) Enforcement of this section by law enforcement officers may be accomplished only as a secondary action when a driver of a motor vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation of this title or an equivalent local ordinance or some other offense.

(7) Infractions that result from the use of a wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle under this section shall not become part of the driver's record under RCW 46.52.101 and 46.52.120. Additionally, a finding that a person has committed a traffic infraction under this section shall not be made available to insurance companies or employers.
[2007 c 417 § 2.]
Notes:

Intent -- 2007 c 417: "The use of wireless communications devices by motorists has increased in recent years. While wireless communications devices have assisted with quick reporting of road emergencies, their use has also contributed to accidents and other mishaps on Washington state roadways. When motorists hold a wireless communications device in one hand and drive with the other, their chances of becoming involved in a traffic mishap increase. It is the legislature's intent to phase out the use of hand-held wireless communications devices by motorists while operating a vehicle." [2007 c 417 § 1.]
Effective date -- 2007 c 417: "This act takes effect July 1, 2008." [2007 c 417 § 3.]

JON STEWART, THANK YOU

Genius, and it means a lot.

URGENT: Stop Plans to Drill Our Coastlines!

June 18, 2008 You've seen the headlines today - McCain, Bush, and Gingrich are organizing a push to drill for oil along our coastlines and lift a 27 year moratorium. They seem to be taking advantage of high gas prices to help their friends in big oil make even more money. Opening up our coastline to drilling will take up to 10 years before the first drop of oil would reach your local gas stations and it would last for less than 10 years - yet the devastation it will cause is hardly worth the price.  Opening our national coastlines to oil exploration would begin with seismic testing to find where the oil is located. Seismic blasts have a decibel level of 260 - that's more than twice as loud as an ambulance siren. Whales, dolphins and other marine mammals rely on their sense of hearing to navigate, to locate food and to communicate with each other. Exposure to this level of sound underwater can cause deafening disorientation and can lead to permanent damage and brain hemorrhaging and even cause entire pods of whales and dolphins to beach. Only last week over 100 melon-head whales beached off of Madagascar close to where ExxonMobil was conducting seismic testing.  TAKE ACTION >> Tell your friends to help put a STOP to plans to drill our coastal waters! Seismic testing is not the only danger offshore drilling would cause for our oceans and wildlife. Major oil spills would threaten our beaches, fish, and marine mammals. And global warming is already a major threat to our world's oceans, and despite McCain's efforts to combat it, drilling for more oil will only cause more greenhouse gas emissions.  Instead of pushing for more drilling, we should be investing in renewable energy sources.  In order to stop this concerted effort to drill offshore, I need YOUR help to mobilize your friends, family, and coworkers. It's up to each of us to share the real impacts of drilling offshore. Please, take just a second to sign our petition to McCain and pass it along to your friends. Thank you, John Passacantando Executive Director P.S. This issue is critical, and we need all the support we can get. Once you've taken action, please, send this alert to your friends and family too. Ways to Help Take Action  Sign the petition to McCain today! Tell a Friend  Forward this message to a friend.  Last week, approximately 100 rare melon-head whales were stranded following offshore seismic surveys by Exxon-Mobil off the coast of Madagascar. Greenpeace recently released a new report on the impact of seismic and sonar testing on whales and dolphins.  Read more >>

The Last Words Of La Pequeña Hillary Clinton

I haven't been this happy in years! OK, I lie but still...

Al Gore endorses Barack Obama - Barack Obama News

DETROIT - Al Gore made his debut in the 2008 presidential campaign Monday night, encouraging voters to back Barack Obama because "take it from me, elections matter."

The former vice president's speech at the Joe Louis Arena was part endorsement and part blistering attack on the man who denied him the White House eight years ago.

"After eight years of incompetence, neglect and failure, we need change," Gore said. "After eight years when our Constitution has been dishonored and disrespected, we need changes."

Click here for the rest of the article. 

GO'BAMA!

Sen. Barack Obama told voters in Wayne, Pennsylvania, on Saturday that he'll cut taxes for the middle class, raise taxes for the wealthy and pour more money into what he calls green energy.

Sen. Barack Obama holds a town hall meeting with residents in Wayne, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

Later Saturday, in Illinois, Obama helped fill sandbags near the Mississippi River in an area devastated by flooding, his campaign said. The same day, Sen. John McCain extended his sympathies to those affected by flooding in the Midwest.

According to his campaign, Obama wants to invest $150 billion over the next 10 years to establish a green energy sector; create a national low-carbon fuel standard to ensure that the fuel is more efficient, and invest in clean energies like solar, wind and biodiesel.

That, according to the campaign, would create up to 5 million new green energy jobs.

Obama also blasted McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential candidate, for his recent silence on energy reform and his support for a gas tax holiday.

"He isn't offering any solutions to help Americans pay for high gas prices. Instead, he's proposing a gas tax holiday that's nothing more than a Washington stunt," Obama said. "I was for the idea back then, but I've learned from my mistake, because I don't think it's right to say you're offering families relief when you're just boosting oil company profits."

Obama says McCain's gas tax plan would "actually do real harm" and take "$3 billion a month out of the highway trust fund and hand it over to the oil companies."

Click here for the rest of the CNN article. 

JOHN MCCAIN, YOU GOT SERVED!

Keith Olbermann, you ROCK!

GOP blocks Senate's global warming bill - Climate Change - MSNBC.com

Senate Republicans on Friday blocked a global warming bill that would have required major reductions in greenhouse gases, after a bitter debate over its economic costs and whether it would substantially raise gasoline and other energy prices.

Democratic leaders fell a dozen votes short of getting the 60 needed to end a Republican filibuster on the measure and bring the bill up for a vote. The 48-36 vote failed to reach even a majority, a disappointment to the bill's supporters.

Majority Leader Harry Reid was expected to pull the legislation, in all likelihood pushing the congressional debate over climate change to next year with a new Congress and a new president.

Click here for the rest of the article.

Of course, of course.

Clinton to Suspend Campaign, Endorse Obama Friday - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog

Check out this article from the New York Times.

Please let Obama choose Hillary as his V.P. and my fears will be
alleviated. Let's put ego aside and unify the Democratic Party with
what I (and many others) consider to be the dream ticket. His ideas
and smarts with her savvy, I love it. Bye bye McCain!

FAHRENHEIT 9/11 SEQUEL ON THE WAY!

If you saw Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 and were curious to see how things have played out now that much more has come to surface about 9/11 and the aftermath associated with it, you might have your chance to find out. Click here for the CNN article on the sequel coming out next year after President Bush leaves office. Let the fireworks begin!

*In the interest of full-disclosure, I have a great deal of respect for Michael Moore.

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Ok y'all, it's time to get out there and vote but before you do that you have to be registered and you can do so over at Declare Yourself. With primaries coming up in North Carolina, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, and many others, you can still make a huge impact and now is the time for our country to make some huge changes. Come on Oregon, let's make the Northwest proud! 

I've said this before and I'll say it again, I want to see Hillary as President and Barack as Vice President - we do need them both. 

FILL IN THE BLANK TIME!

When I look at this pic, I wish I could ______________ ?

You Must Watch This...

I Am Because We Are. 

Rosie - GMA

Sunday Market

I went up to the Sunday Market and found some great plants for my garden area that are bigtime hummingbird attractions - kind of like how candy stores attract me. Anyway, I put them in a cluster and have called it "Hummingbird Lane", I hope they enjoy it. Hummingbird-opolis was a little too difficult to say.

 

As usual, there were some protestors up there and they aren't so much protestors as much as they are wearing signs to make a statement peacefully. One woman, who was in a wheelchair, had a sign on the back of her wheelchair that showed the above picture. I asked to take a picture, she graciously agreed, and I happily went on my way. I hope I see her again, she was so sweet and inspiring.

 

Spin WAsh

Here's President Bush throwing the first pitch at the Washington National's baseball game, and I swear the station must be a Fox station because even they try to "spin" the event. Note the crowd noise.