A deal in the legislature over a "regional transportation package" is characterized as "Sound Transit hits roadblock"
Sound Transit's timetable for building more light rail could wind up being delayed because of the region's indecision over how to replace the Highway 520 floating bridge and the Alaskan Way Viaduct.But what it really means is that the construction and maintenance of roads (the only realistic solutions to traffic congestion) are being held over a barrel in order to blow billions on insanely expensive boondoggles that will benefit only a nugatory fraction of the region's commuters.That's one consequence of a bill state lawmakers in Olympia passed this week, blocking the transit agency from putting a list of new rail, bus and park-and-ride projects to a public vote this year.
It also requires that 2007 ballot measures for both Sound Transit and for regional highways win voter approval — or none of the projects gets built.
Why can't we have some options?
At least they stopped the Sound Transit railroad at the station (at least this stage).
But, can someone tell me why I have to be in Sound Transit when I live outside the Urban Growth Area? What benefit is it to me?
Who is going to hold Sound Transit accountable for two of their boondoggles- rail from the station to the community college- Everett and Tacoma?
I mean these guys are whacked.
Posted by: swatter on March 9, 2006 12:21 PMThat is why I don't think the delay on the ST2 vote will be a bad thing. That gives some time for the real cost numbers to start oozing out . . ..
Posted by: garbisky on March 9, 2006 12:22 PMST is sitting on a huge amount of cash, yet there are meetings happening each and every day between representatives of jurisdictions that were promised things that ST has reneged on. In other words, different jurisdictions came out with an official position supporting Sound Move that was based upon what Sound Move promised to deliver. These official positions were tantamount to the various officials saying to the public they represented “we have evaluated this proposal and find that it is a good deal for the people we represent, we recommend that you vote for it.” Now that ST has not delivered these same politicians are trying to ‘cover there arse’ by trying to pry something (anything) out of ST. Doing this burns up tons of additional tax dollars in paying salaries of dozens of employees of these jurisdictions each and every day. This is all going on while ST sits on a mountain of money. Why is this happening? Power – as long as they control this much money, they have power.
The viaduct required immediate funding to be rebuilt to avoid deaths from earthquakes. Now, it seems that either the pending earthquakes are going to happen later rather than sooner or the deaths are acceptable. Take a year, take longer to convince the taxpayers to hand over the billions for a big dig. AKA black hole.
Now were are hearing the earthquake word again in regards to 520. Same song, different project.
It seems politicians will lie, cheat and steal to excessive taxation. Of course, we the taxpayers must listen to this nonsense.
I again submit: The NYC subways were built, maintained and managed by private enterprise at no cost to the taxpayers. If Sound Transit is such a good deal and demand that great, turn it over to private enterprise.
Posted by: Snuffy on March 9, 2006 02:46 PMThere are a couple of mentally disturbed politicians on that board that I know of personally.
Posted by: swatter on March 9, 2006 03:06 PMEsp. when voters were told that all they had to do is vote NO on 912 and everything would be hunky-dory and all those needed road projects would begin. Makes those of us who saw right through it look pretty smart for voting YES to repeal the gas tax, doesn't it???
Because what you'll then see is our current situation where all of us pay lots more for gas tax and nothing will have changed. Told ya so, NO on 912'rs!
Posted by: Misty on March 9, 2006 03:10 PMI still remember that last vote we did where politicians promised that overruns were included in the estimates and the construction was guaranteed not to be overrun.
Eric and others, the above paragraph is why I will never, ever vote again for one of these boondoggles.
Posted by: swatter on March 9, 2006 03:23 PM"Sound Transit hits anti-tank mine" would make a nicer one.
Posted by: TB on March 9, 2006 04:45 PMAnd what has happened in the past year to replace either except raising massive taxes and planning new massive tax hikes
There has not even been a decision made to date, on either one of these projects, a year after your democraps called them both Emergencies!
Remember this in november when you vote for your future so called leadership in this state! Lets really make that an emergency statement!
Posted by: GS on March 10, 2006 12:18 AM