The requirement for legislative approval of tolls for funding 520 bridge rebuild should be used to raise concerns about the new WSDOT bridge design. The current design will not meet the long-term public transit needs for the 520 corridor. Eastside residents need better public transit to the University and downtown Seattle. Seattle residents need better access to Microsoft and other eastside employers.

Both of these commuting needs can be achieved by redesigning the west end of the bridge to provide buses with direct access to the planned University light rail station. During the morning commute, every east side P&R would have non-stop bus connections to University station and light rail access to downtown Seattle.

Seattle residents could use light rail to reach University station to catch the cross-lake buses to each of the major eastside employment centers.

520 commuters on both sides of the lake should urge their legislators to make bridge toll approval contingent on WSDOT redesigning the west end to give buses direct access to University light rail station.

Bill Hirt, Bellevue