02-16-16 RADIO REPORT: I-405: Rep. Mark Harmsworth says governor’s plan not enough (audio)

RADIO BROADCAST FEED TRANSCRIPT

Feb. 16, 2016

CONTACT: Ruth Johnson, Assistant Broadcast Coordinator - (360) 786-7792

 I-405: Rep. Mark Harmsworth says governor's plan not enough

Legislator:  Rep. Mark Harmsworth
Date Recorded:  02-16-16
Run Time:  :51
Download online voicer: https://soundcloud.com/wahousegop/harmsworth-i405-021616
SUGGESTED LEAD: Reaction to the governor's plan to ease congestion on one of Washington state's busiest roads is coming in, and not all of it is positive.  Ruth Johnson reports from Olympia.

(Voicer: Harmsworth-I405GovREAX-VOICER-021616.mp3 - Run time :51 seconds.)

Johnson:  "It's not enough."  Three words from Mark Harmsworth, the Republican lawmaker from Mill Creek, about Jay Inslee's plans to alleviate delays on I-405.

(Voice cut: Harmsworth-I405GovREAX-CLIPB-021616.mp3 - Run time :14 seconds - Out cue: . . .up to three years.)

Harmsworth: "During those peak hours in the morning when we're going to work, and those peak hours in the evening, when we're trying to get home, none of the changes he put forward are going to significantly make any difference.  And in fact, two of those changes may not happen for up to three years."

Johnson: Harmsworth is talking about the governor's plans to add a lane at 520 into Kirkland, and convert a shoulder of I-405 in Bothell for use as a general purpose lane.

Already reaction is coming in from the State Patrol Troopers Association.  President Jeff Merrill has voiced concerns there would be no room for emergency vehicles, and it could confuse motorists.  He's quoted as saying "It's kind of a knee jerk reaction to a bad plan."

Ruth Johnson, Olympia.

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