We returned from the Seattle/Montlake SR-520 WSDOT open house. We are strong advocates that the end of the new SR-520 bridge to Montlake should not be completed until full funding is available for extension to I-5.

We spoke tonight with Richard Conlin — a Seattle Council person — who told us specifically that the future funding for completion is a “done deal,” and that it will be funded by I-90 tolls. When challenged by us, he said directly that the I-90 tolling to support SR-520 bridge rebuilding was specifically approved by the federal government. We told him that we could not believe what he said because it was a federal interstate, and that commerce from across Washington and the United States, let alone Mercer Island folks, would be impacted. He said, “It is a done deal.”

Please contact us if we can provide more detail. We want the whole story of this SR-520 construction to be told. KOMO TV reporting so far is Pulitzer level.

Perhaps the Mercer Island side and the Montlake side can find a way to effectively mitigate impacts. The major media seems to ignore what is the reality because it is easier to report from press releases.

You can perhaps help us to raise the consciousness of Seattle and Mercer Island, and who knows whomever needs help. There was a man who stood behind us while we were talking to Mr. Conlin, who said what is there in these millions of dollars that can be helpful for others … it all seems to be going elsewhere. Connected communities need to stay together and communicate.

Walter Hyer and Kate Kavanaugh