On Jan. 20, an article was published in the Kent Reporter titled “State gives Kent another $5 million for 224th Street project.” The project will extend 224th Street over Highway 167 from East Valley to Benson. Cost estimates range as high as $31 million.
As a taxpayer, the article is troublesome. The city continues to push for this street project although it does little to relieve traffic congestion. A far better and less costly alternative is widening 212th Street.
According to the consultant hired by the city, the new road would only perform “slightly better” than doing nothing at all. One questions if “slightly better” than doing nothing justifies spending $31 million of taxpayers funds. In addition, the road dead-ends at Benson, forcing traffic to turn right or left to continue east. That’s why the locals call the 224th Street project the “Road to Nowhere.”
A far less costly and more efficient option exists, widening 212th Street. The Cities Transportation Master Plan shows widening 212th, from the valley floor to Benson, would be more effective at relieving traffic congestion. It would cost $10.1 million or about $20 million less than the 224th Street project. The excess funds could be used for other road projects such as the BNSF railroad grade separation at South 212th. The 212th grade separation was recommended in a Jan. 4 letter to the editor (“228th Street project is puzzling”).
My understanding is that the 224th Street project has not been scrapped because monies already collected through a Local Improvement District (LID) cannot legally be moved to another road project that makes sense. I urge the City Council to look into this and find a way to get around it.
Councilman Dennis Higgins stated “On this project we’re like on the 5-yard line ….” Throwing good money after bad, no matter what yard line you’re on, is a reckless use of taxpayers’ money.
– Jack Nixon
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