Most people don’t get that excited about the opening of an overpass, a construction worker noted at Wednesday’s ceremony in honor of the Pacific Street overpass completion. Especially if they have to rough a rainy day to attend festivities.
He’s right. But Everett and Snohomish County citizens have plenty of reasons to celebrate the completion of the year-long construction project — and maybe even to place some renewed trust in our government.The Pacific Avenue overpass is a great example — hopefully one to be repeated — of local agencies working with larger ones. In this case, the city of Everett managed the $20 million project funded by Sound Transit.
People should be thrilled to learn that the project not only came in on time, but nearly $5 million under budget. As Rep. Aaron Reardon of the 38th District told the crowd attending the gathering, people expect their leaders to get things done on time and on budget. This proves that government can be effective and earn citizens’ confidence. Much of that praise goes to city staff who oversaw the project.
It also shows that Sound Transit works for the entire region and Everett is an important part of that. People seem to be divided into two camps when it comes to transportation fixes. They either want to focus on building more roads or emphasizing transit. But, as Dave Earling, chairman of Sound Transit’s board and an Edmonds councilman noted, we need both to make it all work out.
Both sides should look at Pacific Avenue overpass as a victory. Not only does the project create a wide road that keeps traffic flowing instead of backed up at a railroad crossing, but it provides a vital link for transit (buses, carpools and vanpools) headed for I-5, downtown Everett or the soon to be opened Everett Station.
A major construction project completed on time and under budget that benefits all modes of transportation — maybe miracles can happen, after all.
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