With regard to your poll on “I-405 and SR 167 Eastside Corridor Tolling Study”, I would like to know where the WA DOT’s action is on the existing rail connection that runs from Snohomish down to at least Renton. I’ve heard nothing about the subject for quite a time and it seems to be dying on the vine; it should not be allowed to do so. Here we have a corridor, which for minimum dollars, would provide a great solution to the traffic congestion on the eastside. Are we waiting for the existing federal right-of-way to be traded away or lapse due to some obscure legal time escape clause? I know previous estimates put the cost of improving the rail bed, providing new equipment (i.e., rail cars), and even constructing a new overpass to replace the now-gone Wilburton Tunnel in the range of $100+ million. Some said this was too low and indeed it was. But even if this number needs to be increased by a factor of 3 or 4, it is much cheaper than what we eventually will have to spend in order to buy our way into a new corridor with all the condemnations that will be required. A partial alternative to doing this later massive buy-up of properties will of course be the wide use of tunnels; I shudder to think of that expense. With the “Stimulus” monies being kicked about, what a wonderful way this would be to solve one of the biggest traffic messes anywhere. Has anyone approached the Obama Administration about this? If not, why not?

In the meantime, my wife and I enjoy driving along the express lanes which our retired friends and ourselves refer to as the “Old People’s Highway”. But this is so unfair. I did the I-405 and 167 thing in both directions for years before I gave up working in 1995. I feel very sorry for all the workers we pass during mornings and evenings as we putter along what is essentially our private road at times. Like LA, Honolulu, you-name-it, we can’t build enough highways to keep up with the problem.

Let’s get with common sense solutions!

Albert Chukitus, Kirkland