Growing Traffic Problem

I recently attended Bothell Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The speaker was Kemper Freeman Jr., a well known developer of Bellevue Square. He indicated that he has invested significant amount of time and money trying to promote ideas on relieving traffic congestion in Puget Sound area. He had also served as a legislator several years ago partly because, he said, he wanted to have his and other private citizens' voice heard in public decision makings.

During the presentation, Mr. Freeman admitted he has business interest in this issue in a way that a better traffic would boast the number of shoppers coming to his malls in Bellevue. But he quickly said, "We have much bigger issue, bad traffic will eventually ruin our economy and the standard of living here in Puget Sound."

I wholly agree with his assessment.

I do not know much about traffic engineering. But I do know we have traffic problem which is ranked among the nation's worst. I think many of us, unconsciously or not, plan our day and traveling around the traffic conditions.

It is likely getting even worse. By 2030 the Puget Sound population is predicted to increase by 40 percent. I am not sure how this area will cope with that amount growth in traffic.
Should we all stay home or work from home?

I have read a lot about the construction planning of the billion dollars light rail (and its massive cost overruns), but as a lay person I do not see how that will relieve or address traffic problem that is pretty widespread, from Everett in the north to Puyallup in the south. I think we need something much more comprehensive than that.

If you are interested to read more about traffic issue, there are several good website to check out. One is www.truthabouttraffic.org which studies the traffic congestion in Puget Sound.
You can also visit Mr. Freeman's website: www. freemanplan.com to learn more about his ideas.