Magnolia Bridge Replacement Project

For Immediate Release: May 21, 2003

Contact: Marybeth Turner, SDOT Communications, 206.684.8548

Reminder: Magnolia Bridge Public Meeting

Thursday May 22, 2003
5:30p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Blaine K-8 School
2550 34th Avenue West

The Magnolia Bridge needs to be replaced. Magnolia residents suffered through two significant bridge closures for repairs in recent years, one due to a landslide and one following an earthquake. Engineers have advised that retrofitting the bridge to help it withstand the force of a significant earthquake is not cost-effective. The residents need dependable access to their neighborhood.

During the past year, more than 500 citizens have attended the Seattle Department of Transportation's community meetings on bridge replacement. Based on their feedback, the project team has narrowed their work to three possible bridge alignments. To help determine which would be the best alignment, the department will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

A public meeting has been scheduled for May 22 at Blaine School so the public can comment on the scope of the EIS (what will be studied in the EIS). The meeting will start with an open house. A presentation will be made at 6:30 p.m. with a formal comment period following. Residents who have submitted comments previously on comment forms or by e-mail message will not have to repeat them, as they will be included with comments from the May 22 meeting for the EIS.

The public can also submit written comments at the meeting or send them by June 6 to:

Kirk T. Jones
Seattle Department of Transportation
700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3900
Seattle, WA 98104-5043

For more information, contact Kirk T. Jones, (206) 615-0862, kirkt.jones@seattle.gov.