Seattle Ponders (Some More) the Wisdom of Replacing a Roadway
 

SEATTLE — Here in the capital of the Pacific Northwest, where commercial jets were born but now the mayor brags about biking to work, questions over commerce, climate change and community are converging on a couple of fateful miles of asphalt.

Is the Alaskan Way Viaduct overlooking Elliott Bay on the western edge of downtown just an elevated relic, another old road that needs to be replaced? Or is it something more, a symbol whose fate will help shape not only this city but the rest of urban — and New Urbanist — America?

“It’s not just a highway anymore,” Mayor Mike McGinn said. “It’s about the type of city we are and what are our priorities.”

Another question: Is Mr. McGinn a visionary or an obstructionist?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/us...?src=me&ref=us

Note: April 9, 2011

welcome to the Northwest:shifty::doh:

Take it from me. Mayor McMumbles is an idiot. :nope:

He "might" better themselves, with time :o

It's a Northwest thing....idiot progressive mayors.

@ Torplexed, we should have a contest, who's mayor is a bigger idiot? Seattle or Portland.:dead::doh:

Well, I'll give Mayor McMumbles some credit in that he doesn't date 18 year old guys. :doh: However they both appear to be trying to outdo each other in the "Green" department.

That Alaskan Way viaduct does have to go. It's just one decent quake from pancaking. All the mayoral paralysis by analysis doesn't help.

He sits well in his office, and have not been out way reality,:rolleyes:

You need to stand for office Jason and let me be your agent :rock:

Yeah! Go fer it Jason. I'm sure you'll get Lars Larson's endorsement as well. :up: