I used to vote blindly in favor of every Redmond levy. Town seemed well-run. Look at the skate park: brilliant location, managed with a light hand by the police. Smart government.

Then came Redmond Transit Center. Some developer got some building space, I guess, and we got a parking garage that was over-full the moment it opened. Hmmm. Then businesses were ripped up downtown to make a (almost always empty) square of green grass surrounded on three sides by the worst traffic in Redmond. Hmmm.

But the final straw was the destruction of the hill on 166th. This perfectly functional, problem-free road was deliberately turned into a clownish traffic mess dotted with red and yellow meaningless flashing lights. Four lanes cut to two to add bike lanes to a hill so steep that all bicyclists avoid it like the plague. Every time the 221 bus stops, it stops all traffic in that direction; the bus drivers laugh at the absurdity. Insane concrete islands ensure that if more than one driver turns left, that also stops traffic. Rush-hour now routinely creates jams that stretch from the top of the hill to the bottom. Painted lanes tell drivers they should drive as fast as 30 mph with their tires an inch from the curb at the 85th intersection. Someone’s going to get maimed or killed, and when they sue the city, I will support their cause.

I cannot find any apology from Redmond city government for this disastrous mistake. I can only assume they believe they did something good. That’s why I voted against the last levy, for the first time ever. That’s why I will vote for anybody but the incumbent in the mayoral race. If you’re voting for the incumbent, please spend a day on 166th and think about what could happen if they come to “improve” your life next.

Ron Burk

Redmond