KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - As the community considers options for a new State Route 520 bridge, a new report identifies critical elements to be included to minimize health risks the bridge corridor poses to surrounding neighborhoods. Authored by Public Health – Seattle & King County and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, the assessment of community health impacts from this major transportation project provides an innovative tool for transportation planning, and is one of the first of its kind locally. The health assessment was mandated by the Washington State Legislature as part of Senate Bill 6099.
“The rebuild of this important transportation corridor presents an opportunity to protect the community’s health by creating an environment that minimizes conditions that lead to poor health,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “The features we recommend are not feel-good amenities, but substantial and tangible elements that will benefit the health and mental well-being of residents for generations to come.”
Recommendations for the rebuild project include elements that have been demonstrated to protect people’s health. These include:
- Transit, bicycling, & walking: Improved and increased transit, pollution reduction, biking and walking facilities, and wayfinding
- Landscaped lids and green spaces: Freeway lids, landscaping, park improvements and other green spaces, and waterfront access
- Design features: On-going noise mitigation, visual appeal, and storm water management
- Construction period impact management: Pollution control, traffic management, and noise control
As the project reaches a final design selection period, Public Health and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency will continue to be involved to ensure health is central to decision-making. Public Health and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency expect that a primary factor in selecting the final design will be its ability to efficiently and effectively incorporate the health recommendations identified in the report.
“In addition to improving and protecting personal health, the measures recommended in this report also improve and protect air quality in our communities and the health of our planet,” said Dennis McLerran, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. “Strategies that encourage alternatives to driving help reduce tailpipe emissions that contribute to air pollution and air toxics that people breathe and greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.”
Today’s report is the result of the health impact assessment conducted by Public Health and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency on the State Route 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV project currently being considered by the community and mediation team assigned to the bridge project. The bridge is slated to be replaced in 2016.
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In 2007, Washington State Senate Bill 6099 directed that a SR 520 interchange design and plan be developed through mediation for a more reliable replacement of the existing SR 520 Bridge. The Legislature also directed Public Health – Seattle & King County and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to conduct a health impact assessment and present to the Mediation Team. A health impact assessment is a tool to help decision-makers recognize the health consequences of the policy and project decisions they make and provide a healthier living environment.
The health assessment was funded by Washington State Department of Transportation. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided technical assistance throughout the evaluation process.
Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.
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