A state panel this week found again that Seattle's viaduct and the 520 floating bridge are in danger of collapse in an earthquake. The report adds urgency to removing the viaduct, which blights the waterfront, and to building a transit-friendly replacement for 520.
The panel concluded that the state has enough money to rebuild the viaduct and a portion of what's needed to replace 520. The problem is that Seattle wants a more-expensive tunnel along the waterfront and there's no agreement on how big the new 520 should be.
Replacing the viaduct with street improvements and building a transit-friendly six-lane 520 makes the most sense. But the key takeaway from the report is the need for action:
"The biggest risk these projects face ... is that of indecision and vacillation by political and civil leaders," the panel's report said. "If these projects are to succeed, the people in positions of elected and appointed authority must make decisions that stick so the projects can be completed."