The mediator paid for by the state to sort out the conflicting interests involved in replacing 520 is getting to work. Ed Murray takes credit for pushing this idea along, which is seemingly one of the few possible ways to find a solution to the 520 quagmire.

The issues around the 520 bridge are to local transportation planning what immigration reform is to Washington, DC. It's just enough to get everyone pissed off to the point nothing gets done. NIMBYs on both sides of the lake will no doubt object mightily to the larger bridge that is necessary, plus the larger footprint on the west side (like the Pacific Interchange) to bring some sense to the transportation flow with the UW and I-5. Meanwhile regional interests will insist on the inclusion of those logical components because they're the right thing to do.

Me thinks these two mediators are going to have to earn their money on this one. The Seattle area didn't develop a reputation for endless process culminating with indecisive action out of this air. Good luck to them.