Summary

King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who represents West Seattle and Vashon Island, issued a statement Wednesday afternoon on the news that the West Seattle Bridge would be closed until at least 2022, if it could be repaired at all.

Story

King County Councilmember Joe McDermott released the following statement Wednesday after Mayor Jenny Durkan announced that the West Seattle Bridge, if it can be repaired at all, would not reopen until at least 2022:

“I am utterly stunned. The City owes us all an explanation on how on earth it let this much deterioration to Seattle’s most used arterial slip by and reach this point.

“The West Seattle bridge plays a vital role not only to the 100,000 people who live on the west side of the Duwamish, but to our entire state’s economy as a thoroughfare for trade and agriculture. This must be every state legislator’s top priority after dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, beginning in any special session that occurs this year. Economic recovery at a state, regional and local level after this pandemic requires a functional West Seattle transportation connection.

“Planning for a full replacement must begin right now, with the state and federal government stepping up to help expedite the process and funding. I’ll be working at the County, through regional collaboration and transit planning, to sort through the pieces this has left us to ease the burden on residents as best we can. This is an all hands on deck situation for leaders in Washington state.”