The West Seattle Bridge reopened in September of 2022, , after undergoing an extensive overhaul since it was closed in March 2020 for repairs. The project took two and a half years and cost roughly $175 million, but a sizable group of citizens still wonders whether it was the right thing to do.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) released a report in September 2020 showing that the area's bridges were not in good condition. While most bridges and roadways were still described as being in "fair" condition (according to federal guidelines), Seattle lies along a major fault line, and even a moderate earthquake could result in significant roadway damage. 

Consider the Alaskan Way Viaduct was demolished in 2019 after more than a decade of debate regarding its structural integrity. Bridges are notoriously problematic to maintain and repair, which led many to believe that finding a replacement would be less expensive and quicker than updating the old bridge. However, the State Route 99 deep bore tunnel that was constructed as a replacement took more than ten years and cost $2.15 billion.

Many people believe that fixing the existing bridges would be the best way to proceed, and they want to allocate additional resources for bridge maintenance to ensure compliance and public safety. They say that this would be a better choice because they would be able to keep the existing infrastructure without making any major changes to existing roadways. 

Others are of the opinion that the bridges are past their prime, and throwing more money at the problem will not make it disappear. Rather than draining the piggy bank by trying to repair bridges that may be too far gone, this group wants the city to invest in other modes of transportation, such as light rails. 

The question up for debate: Should Seattle's Department of #Transportation use money to fix existing bridges or to build new alternatives?