Nearly 900 had signed an online petition to 'Save the Magnolia Bridge' by Monday night when angry neighbors met with a representative of the Seattle Department of Transportation.
SDOT announced the bridge is becoming unsafe and will eventually need to be demolished -- but the city does not have enough money to build a new bridge.
Ever since the Nisqually quake damaged the bridge, there have been concerns. According to SDOT, there are regular inspections to make sure it is safe, but long term it needs to be replaced. SDOT representative said the city needs to look for more financially feasible options.
Inside Magnolia's Restaurant and Lounge, it concerns Sarvani Mandapati. The family opened the business six months ago, and she wants to make sure it is not difficult to get to Magnolia.
About the bridge, Mandapati said "I use it every day. I have no idea how to get here otherwise."
Patrick Paulsen was one of the first in line for an evening meeting about the bridge.
"Our taxes go out, but we cant get in," said Paulsen. "I'd like to see a bridge replacement. I think it is unacceptable to settle for anything less than that."
There are three routes that currently connect to Magnolia. According to SDOT, 25,000 drivers use the Emerson Street Bridge daily, 20,000 use Dravus overpass, and 17,000 use the Magnolia Bridge. When the city considered replacing the bridge in 2006, it would have cost more than $260 million. SDOT says the same project today would cost close to $400 million.
"There is so much money wasted. The city council does not know how to handle money," said Linda Madrid.
Madrid's husband, Don Gulden, added, "a lot of people are unhappy with the city council, with the city administration."
Magnolia neighbors brought their frustrations to Kit Loo, an SDOT Project Manager. In between the crowd's shouts and boos, Loo said a bridge replacement has not been ruled out.
"It is still on the table, but it is really at the high end of the costs in terms of replacement alternatives," said Loo.
SDOT should deliver a recommendation this summer. Learn more about the Magnolia Bridge planning study here.
