Open house only furthered frustrations over Tolt Bridge closure

Published 7:30 am Wednesday, June 28, 2017

I would have to say that the only thing that came out of the open house in Carnation on June 21, was further frustration from the citizens being impacted by this sudden total closure of the Tolt Bridge. We found out that they have no plans on how to fix the bridge, no monies for repairs, which will run in the millions, and no timeline, and no mitigation plan.

What I find most disturbing is the fact that when questioned on why the bridge passed inspections, was “we relied on the plans.”

Working in a metallurgical department as an inspector, I was responsible for making sure what was being produced and sent to customers, was of the correct size, and strength. Clearly King County’s inspectors never bothered to actually measure the gusset plates, and the connecting bolts, because had they put a micrometer on them, they would have seen they didn’t match what was specified on the plans*.

This is a clear oversight on the part of King County that the citizens of Carnation and the surrounding communities are having to bear the results of.

Using King County’s own calculations of approximately 3,000 vehicles using the bridge a day, for nine years, that comes to 9,855,000 trips, with the bridge showing no signs of stress or deterioration.

What was a three-mile trip to town, is now almost 15 miles. I, and other tax payers, deserve better from King County. This is having a negative impact on the businesses in town, fire and aid response, and needs to be mitigated as soon as possible.

There was a reference to seeking restitution from a contractor if he didn’t build your house to specifications. Well, if the engineers, and Kathy Lambert want to use that as an example, they need to remember that if your house has been red tagged, you are forced to pay for alternate living arrangements, immediately, and at your expense. What we are seeing here is no alternative, and that is simply unacceptable.

I would encourage everyone impacted by this bridge closure to email your council member, kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov, and the King County Executive, kcexec@kingcounty.gov.

Ron Hopper

Carnation

* The measurements matched the plans, but the plans were wrong. See the page 1 story on the bridge closure for the specifics.