Drafter
Clerk 03/02/2011
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AN ORDINANCE authorizing the King County executive to execute an interlocal agreement with the Port of Seattle for the port'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 within the Duwamish manufacturing and industrial area for general purposes and freight traffic 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. Traffic diverted from the South Park Bridge was forced onto alternative routes, adding traffic congestion to other corridors including the First Avenue South Bridge, West Marginal Way and Interstate 5, which are all routes for freight passing through port facilities.
D. 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 county is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all county roads, bridges and rights-of-way located within the county.
E. The north half of the bridge is located in the city of Tukwila. The 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 served a neighborhood with a high percentage of low-income residents and businesses that are reliant on the access provided by the bridge.
H. The port desires to support the residents and businesses in communities as a good neighbor. The county's South Park Bridge replacement ...
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