July 25, 2006
Out of commission

I'm mostly out of commission today with terrible muscle pain in my neck and shoulders. I wish I could say I was flat on my back, but that's the least comfortable position for me right now, and as a result I'm also seriously sleep-deprived. Not much blogging for me today.

Speaking of "out of commission" and a "pain in the neck". Here's what we can expect if the Viaduct is "replaced" instead of repaired. Today's Times: "Viaduct study sees clogged route 99"

If the Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed for 3-½ years to be replaced with a tunnel or a new elevated structure ... "Highway 99 is expected to have slow-moving conditions for 10 to 12 hours a day depending on lane restrictions."
As opposed to about one hour of congestion per day currently.

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at July 25, 2006 10:22 AM | Email This
Comments
1. Here's hoping you feel better soon.

Posted by: Slogger on July 25, 2006 11:36 AM
2. Here's hoping you feel better soon.

Posted by: Slogger on July 25, 2006 11:36 AM
3. Get well soon Shark.

BTW I know a good Physical Terrorist if you kneed one for your back.

My wife, she whacks me every time I use Physical Terrorist ;-)

Posted by: JCM on July 25, 2006 11:37 AM
4. Get well soon Shark.

As for the Viaduct, typical of the left. They advocate for the solution that will be the most costly and most detrimental in the short term. Even if we do end up with a nice waterfront in the future, the opportunity cost in lost time due to the congestion coupled with the $4 Billion price tag (which is sure to grow) will never be recouped. And we can look forward to union boondoggles and disasters just like those in Boston.

No thanks. Let's just retrofit and repair the existing structure.

Posted by: Jeff B. on July 25, 2006 12:02 PM
5. Yeah, but Pravda (times) misleads by saying its all good news; only adds 1 hour of congestion a day.

that's the talking point the libs will run w

Posted by: righton on July 25, 2006 12:30 PM
6. Whatever happened to the idea of tearing down the viaduct and making a nice parkway instead? I definitely don't like the tunnel idea, but the viaduct is also pretty darned ugly.

Posted by: ferrous on July 25, 2006 01:54 PM
7. Get well soon Shark. Jeff B, I hear what you are saying, but I could see them doing this for another reason. If they can add to the congestion nearly 12hours of delays then they could use that as one more reason we need to get out of our cars.

Posted by: TrueSoldier on July 25, 2006 02:15 PM
8. So it is true, Seattle does give you a pain in the neck ;'}

(Hope you're feeling better soon!)

Posted by: alphabet soup on July 25, 2006 02:25 PM
9. Get well quikly!
If we can get along for 3 1/2 years without the viaduct, why do we need to replace it? We should have put in the other freeway that was abandend years ago. A bypass that had very limited access through Seattle would serve us better. Start down in Tukwila Provide access to I90, 520 and pickup I5 in Snohomish County.

Posted by: R Sjolin on July 25, 2006 04:35 PM
10. Hope you're out of pain soon, and may you get all the sleep you need, soon, too!

Posted by: Michele on July 25, 2006 04:54 PM
11. Stefan,
Hope you feel better soon. Get some of those heatpacks -- I know, it is too hot outside already -- but they work.
We can maybe suffer without a viaduct for a while but not YOU!!!

Banshee

Posted by: Banshee on July 25, 2006 08:37 PM
12. Shark --

Get well soon, and consider a run for King County Auditor. If the R's have any guts, they'll draft you. Draft The Shark! Sing it with me!

Posted by: DaveRoss on July 26, 2006 11:32 AM
13. Thanks for your kind thoughts, Dave. I am feeling much better today. As far as running for auditor, there are many people who would be a better fit for that role than I would be.

I'll even say "If nominated, I will not accept. If elected, I will not serve."

Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on July 26, 2006 01:47 PM
14. At least Dave Ross said "Draft the Shark" not "Jump the Shark."
Glad you are doin' better Stefan.

PS Don't run for anything. You're fine just where you are. Publishing the truth, and holding accountabilities. Lord knows, the MSN doesn't do this task well, nor does KIRO or KOMO. Keep 'em honest!!!

Posted by: Banshee on July 27, 2006 09:08 PM