In this newsletter:

Support Federal Funding for Lidding I-5

Kirsten,

Restoring the damage caused by urban freeways is a national movement. Members of Congress are proposing $3 billion per year through 2026 for funding freeway mitigation projects.

We have closely analyzed the legislation and have confirmed lidding I-5 is eligible for the program. We need to make sure the proposed legislation gets passed as soon as possible, because Seattle and communities across America are poised to improve equity, mobility, health, and connectivity in their transportation systems with freeway lids, removals, and boulevard conversions. The program will fund community organizing, technical studies, and capital construction.

You can read our letter here. Please sign your name in support to help us demonstrate widespread public interest for this project.

Sign here: https://forms.gle/jx28afKW2da56Lmn8

We are also seeking organizational endorsements. If you represent a volunteer group, neighborhood organization, special interest nonprofit, business, or other groups, please use the same form or send us an email at mail@lidi5.org. Thank you for your support in unlocking this vital federal funding!

Walk the Freeway: July 28 Tour
 

With the sun shining down and the pandemic passing behind us, now is the time to get back together! We're repeating one of our most popular events: a walking tour of the Lid I-5 study area. See the freeway up close and personal; hear about key results from the feasibility study; and learn about the work we're doing to advance the project.

Wednesday, July 28
5:30 PM - 7:00
Meet at the corner of 7th Avenue and Marion Street
Register here

This walking tour is approximately 1.25 miles and involves staircases and moderate hillclimbs. We'll take you through Freeway Park and see the construction progress of the Convention Center expansion. Capacity is limited to 30 people. Register online so we can track attendance and share other details ahead of the event.

Where the 2021 Candidates Stand

 

As part of our mission to build the case and constituency for lidding I-5, we regularly meet with elected officials and candidates running for office. Our goal is to educate and seek a diversity of perspectives and advice. This year we reached out to candidates running for Seattle Mayor, City Council, and King County Executive in the August 3, 2021 primary election. (Ballots arrive around July 15.)

We asked candidates to share their position on Lid I-5 with the public and asked how they would advance the project if elected. Click here to read what the leading contenders had to say. Also, at a June 16 candidate forum hosted by the MASS Coalition, "All the candidates expressed support for lidding Interstate 5 next to downtown Seattle...", according to The Seattle Times.

This level of support is no small feat! Once considered a pie-in-the-sky idea a few years ago, lidding I-5 is now a popular mainstream concept endorsed by community leaders. This only happened with our unwavering day-to-day outreach efforts and our work to complete an important feasibility study, in addition to public enthusiasm and your personal support.

Help us keep an eye on the winning candidates in all offices and hold them accountable to keep their commitments to advance Lid I-5. And please share this newsletter with anyone you think might be interested. The bigger the tent, the better!