My name is Bob Fleming, and I am very interested in seeing a greatly improved transportation system for Seattle and the surrounding region.

Current System

Like most cities, Seattle and the surrounding area have a network of streets and highways, varying from high-speed highways to residential side streets.

HIGHWAYS: There are no toll roads in the Seattle area. Like most parts of the west coast of the U.S., the Seattle area collects taxes on gasoline and other sources to pay for highways. The main limited-access high-speed highways are called “freeways.” For more about the current highway system, click here.

Current Problems

ROADS vs. TRANSIT — There is an ongoing controversy between people that want money spent mostly on roads but not much on mass transit, and other people that want to see less money spent on roads and more on transit.

The road-oriented people include many people who drive and are tired of the congestion. They don’t want to see their tax money go for transit that they never use instead of for better roads that will be of greater benefit to them.

The transit-oriented people include many people who don’t drive or who don’t like to drive, and want better transit service. There are also people who believe that more roads, for more cars, promotes pollution and congestion.

My belief is that we need a balance of both roads and transit. We should rebuild damaged or outdated highway structures, increase capacity on some roads, and take other measures to relieve congestion. There are many people who need to drive, and transit is not an alternative for them. We should also improve our mass transit system considerably. As mass transit gets better, more people will decide that it is cheaper and more convenient to take transit than deal with the congestion, unpredictable delays, hassle, and expense of driving and parking. Encouraging more drivers to use transit for at least some of their trips will reduce the number of cars on the road, and that will help those who must still drive.

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT — The Alaskan Way Viaduct is an elevated highway along the Seattle waterfront that is part of state route 99 (formerly U.S. 99). It is a major link in the regional highway system, but is old and has some damage, and engineers fear that in a major earthquake it could collapse. There are plans to repair or replace it, but there is major controversy over what to do. Click here for more about the Viaduct.

520 BRIDGE — Also known as the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, this bridge carries state highway 520 across Lake Washington between Seattle and Medina, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond. It is getting old and has been damaged somewhat in storms. Although still safe, engineers claim that it is “getting on in years and should be replaced soon.” Estimated cost for a new bridge is over $3 billion. Click here for more about the 520 Bridge.