"Should the 520 bridge be expanded?"
(asked at the Kirkland Library on 02-20-97; published in the EJ on 02-23-97)

Jennifer Campbell, Nursing student, Lake Forest Park


"I think so because often there are accidents and it helps to have more lanes. I'm from California and I'm not used to having just two lanes on each side... And the fact that you're on water means you need more flexibility in case of accidents."

Gene Brandli, Director of Quality Assurance, Kirkland


"Yes, mainly because there's no alternative. Double-wide would be more than reasonable. No third bridge because the concept is good but the supporting structures on each side would make it difficult to implement feeder lanes. I think a two-deck bridge would work... We need a technology jump, otherwise it's just a Band-Aid solution."

H. Lew Brigham, Self-employed, Kirkland


"I would say yes. I think they should make it bigger because of the growth of the Eastside, and so we don't wind up with the Redmond mess -- when you have more development than can accommodate the people who work and live there. The roads can't accommodate the large growth in population... I try to manage my routes when the traffic is at its lowest peak."

Hampton Pleshe, 9th grader and art fair assistant


"I have no say on this whatsoever because I don't really care... Taking a vote would probably be good."

Nik Staritchenok, Computer programmer, Kirkland


"Actually, that's a good question. It's a vital structure and sometimes it's really hard to get to Seattle. And we experience abnormal weather patterns, all of which make for more accidents... As far as reinforcements, maybe just build up? I-90 is a more massive structure and I don't know of any troubles with its size so far."

Phyllis Robertson, Retired, Juanita


"I'd rather have a new bridge just down the hill from my house. I'd rather have a third one, farther north, somewhere probably in the Denny Park area. That would relieve a lot of the hassles along Bothell Way. But a lot would depend on what they do on the Seattle side... I think they'd better fix 520, but it would be nice if they had another alternative."

© 1997 by the Bellevue, WA-based Eastside Journal (née Journal American) newspaper.

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