Whidbey Island needs a bridge to Interstate 5.
The Clinton to Mukilteo ferry is unable to keep up with the increasing traffic flow. It is common for 2 1/2 to 3 hour waits, particularly on Tuesday and Thursday when the senior citizens go to the doctors and Costco. The hot parking lots encourage air conditioning use and objectionable exhaust, including diesel smell and the overflowing Porta Potties don’t get serviced very well. The situation is forcing much of the traffic to go around via the Deception Pass bridge, whose traffic volume is expected to increase to 28,000 by 2020.
The Skagit Island Regional Transportation Organization did a two-year study that was completed in May 2001 and had three bridge recommendations. It was postponed for another five to eight years for future action, which is now past due.
I am glad to see on your front page recently that Oak Harbor plans to lobby the state for a bridge.
I see that Sen. Haugen now has a four-lane bridge from Camano Island, where she lives, to go to I-5.
