Major highway projects ahead for Seattle

Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond says it's crunch time in planning for two costly highway projects in Seattle.

Planners and local officials have to complete reports and make recommendations that the Washington Legislature will take up when it convenes Jan. 12 in Olympia.

Hammond told KIRO Radio that money will be tight, but some funds have been set aside and safety requires that work begin on replacing the Highway 520 floating bridge and the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Both are vulnerable in an earthquake.

The new floating bridge on Lake Washington could cost more than $6 billion and the viaduct replacement on the Seattle waterfront more than $3 billion.

Hammond says a decision also has to be made on tolling for the floating bridge.

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Information from: KIRO-AM, http://mynorthwest.com/

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