Murray Morgan... Only $80 Million
The TNT is reporting that consultants have determined that the Murray Morgan Bridge will only cost $80 million to rehabilitate and not the $135 million the state had estimated. Why the difference? According to the story, the more detailed analysis by David Evans and Associates was able to get a better idea of the bridge’s condition. What does this mean? Well… we still have to work that out. It’s savable. But will it be saved?
Link to The News Tribune
Previously on Exit133 (search)
11 comments
C CA February 28, 2008
Thats $80 million that would be MUCH better spent repairing the crater-like pot holes that cover Tacoma’s streets like pimples on a teen boy’s face.
S Stuart February 28, 2008
I think I remember this bridge got a safety rating of something like 2 out of 100. I wonder how long an $80 million bridge will last compared to a new $130 million one?
S sultans007 February 28, 2008
An $80 million restoration is great, IF IT IS MAINTAINED!
S Squid February 28, 2008
I don’t think the issue is $80 million rehab vs. $130M replacement. It is rehab vs. demolition and use 509 to access the Port and tideflats.
Funds for bridge rehab would not be available for street repairs. If it came to that, we should spend the money on schools and public safety.
D DavidS February 28, 2008
I’m not sure what I’d spend $80M on, but without the bridge, there has been lost access. This means in addition to any business challenges, Tacoma is spending more money on fire protection down on the port. I can’t remember exact numbers on cost, but it was surprisingly substantial. I’d expect police protection has likewise suffered, but haven’t seen it quantified anywhere.
Regardless, I expect the pot of money for bridge repair is likely out of a different secondary source and can come more from the state rather than the local government. (Either way the primary source is the citizens, it’s just a matter of percentage from Tacomans.)
H Highwater February 28, 2008
Not worth saving!
Let’s see, can we think of any actually important bridges to “save” that are historic and actually serve a functional purpose? Hmmm…. how about two on E. 34th Street and the one on Tacoma Avenue over S. Tacoma Way?
The Murray Morgan is not essential. Until this city figures out how to do the essential, it shouldn’t spend time on the frivolous.
G grubedoo March 3, 2008
Highwater @6
The space needle is not essential but it is an icon for a city and helps give it personality. The Murray Morgan Bridge does the same for Tacoma to a lesser degree.
Whether or not the bridge is essential is still up for debate, but it IS historic and IS an icon for our city.
The Murray Morgan Bridge IS worth saving.
M Mofo from the Hood March 4, 2008
$80 million dollars? That’s all? Man, that’s tip money.
$8.00 I can fathon.
$80.00 yeah, I’ve held that in my hand.
$800.00 sure, rent money I’ve never had.
$8,000 right. I need a loan for that sum.
$80,000 That’s the occasional Bentley that I see around town.
$800,000 Real Estate talk for a north end home worth $180,000.
$80 Million Dollars? $80 Million Dollars?
There will always be one more project that the public will be asked to pay for. How much of your paycheck paid toward taxes is enough? How much taxation will really make you feel good?
E Erik B. March 4, 2008
$80 Million Dollars? $80 Million Dollars?
Chicken feed. I think the new 520 bridge is going to cost 2 Billion.
S Squid March 4, 2008
Ten years from now when we are all crying about how we need an auto connection from downtown to the tideflats, that we are missing tons of economic development potential by not having that connection, I’ll be first in the “I told you so” line.
M Mofo from the Hood March 4, 2008
Estimate #1: $135 Million plus costs for any unanticipated problems during renovation.
Estimate #2: Well, we have some family in Long Island, New York that likes challenges plus it’s a cool lookin’ bridge and they really want a showpiece for their portfolio; so if we knock off say $55 Million, make the cost $80 Million nuttin’, when could we start the job?