A bridge to handle life-and-death emergencies got voted down Tuesday night, following a public outcry that the overpass would cost too much and damage the beach.
The bridge would have extended from the intersection of Edmonds Street and Sunset Avenue and jut west across the railroad tracks, stretching down to the shoreline at Brackett’s Landing North.
The problem boils down to the railroad tracks that run along the shore. When a train passes, nobody can reach the waterfront. If there's a fire or medical call on the other side, help has to wait. Even considering that, a lot of people didn't think a bridge was the fix.
“I think it's probably poorly conceived," said Bob Davis, who worried about the $27 million price tag as well as the potential disruptions and environmental damage that could occur at the beach.
Davis spoke what's on the minds of a lot of people in Edmonds. They staged a huge rally then packed city council chambers.