Drafter
Clerk 03/02/2011
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AN ORDINANCE authorizing the King County executive to execute an interlocal agreement with the city of Seattle for the city's contribution to the construction of a new South Park Bridge; and declaring an emergency.
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. The South Park Bridge has provided access for residents of the South Park neighborhood and for commercial and industrial freight traffic within the Duwamish manufacturing and industrial area for the past eighty-one years.
B. The South Park Bridge came to the end of its useful life and was closed to the public on June 30, 2010.
C. The South Park Bridge is located on 14th/16th Avenue South across the Duwamish river. The south half of the bridge is located in King County. The north half of the bridge is located in the city of Tukwila. The northern and southern surface roadway approaches to the bridge and the South Park neighborhood immediately adjacent to the bridge are located within the city of Seattle.
D. King County is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all county roads, bridges and rights-of-way located within the county until and unless they are annexed by other jurisdictions.
E. King County and the city of Tukwila previously entered into an agreement, executed January 3, 2003, in which the city of Tukwila granted the county authority to make any decisions related to the operation, maintenance and management of the bridge to the same extent as if the entire bridge were part of the county road system.
F. King County has been awarded funding for a replacement bridge, including grant funds and funds from a broad group of partners.
G. The South Park Bridge is partially located adjacent to the city of Seattle's South Park neighborhood in an unincorporated area of King County that may be considered for annexation by the city of Seattle.
H. The bridge replacement provides a clear benefit to the county, the city an...
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