then why do they end just north of Federal Way? Why are they limited to metropolitan Seattle (that includes Bellevue and all the other Burgs who pretend they are not Seattle)?

Why doesn't Olympia have carpool lanes and specialty lanes for transit? Why doesn't the center of the Washington universe, the Vatican of the Northwest, the Hague of the hogs in power cater to the poor and downtrodden like the force the rest of us to do?

I don't know what it's like across the northern border of King county but I would be safe in assuming that those people also function in a rational manner that has so-far eluded the entrenched power structure of the Kingdom of King and the Emerald City presided over by the Wizard of Oz.

Wake up you inebriates the good Wizard is a fraud and you will never escape to your beloved Kansas again

-- maddjak (maddjak@hotmail.com), January 23, 2000

Answers

Maddjak:

Could it be that Olympia is basicly just a small city, that happens to have the intersection of I-5 and 101 in town? I have noted that most states seem to prefer to place the capital in a small city, away from the center of the pressures of the social and economic activity of the state. (sorry if that offends any Olympia residents)

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), January 23, 2000.

to maddjak: I've proposed this previously, we need to open up the carpool lanes every Tuesday and Thursday for a couple of months. Then we'd have some hard data to make an informed decision. I think we should respect the voters of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. If they want to change how the carpool lanes work, then we should do it.

-- Matthew M. Warren (mattinsky@msn.com), January 24, 2000.

Matthew,

I believe your proposal has merit. That's why it will never be allowed to happen. You don't really think the powers that be, would allow us the necessary data to make an informed decision do you? It is much easier to just resort to "the sky will fall" argument.

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), January 24, 2000.

Good editorial in the eastside journal for those interested:

http://www.eastsidejournal.com/Opiniondocs/edits/dkr89628.html

The hidden crusade for car-pool lanes Tuesday, January 25, 2000 Public sentiment, thankfully, is turning against HOV lanes. An initiative to abolish them is expected to be on the November ballot. The Legislature will consider bills to open car-pool lanes to all motorists during non-rush hour times. Even the state Department of Transportation, a fervent champion of HOV lanes, is looking at alternatives.

Unfortunately, that message hasn't gotten to the federal government and some cities in our state.

Car-pool lanes are a costly and ineffective solution to traffic congestion. These lanes slow down the flow of traffic and increase congestion.

HOV lanes are ineffective at reducing the number of cars on the road -- their stated purpose.

Despite years of promotion and government subsidies, few commuters are giving up their cars to join car pools or ride the bus. Of those who do use the HOV lanes, many are parents with small children or couples who regularly travel together. They certainly aren't taking any cars off our highways.

-- (craigcar@crosswinds.net), January 25, 2000.

Oh yes, it's a good article if you ignore that pretty much all their assertions about HOV lanes being ineffective are based on opinions that are in direct conflict with factual data.

But otherwise it's a good pick me up for those who want to believe that HOV lanes are a waste.

-- Patrick (patrick1142@yahoo.com), January 26, 2000.

"Oh yes, it's a good article if you ignore that pretty much all their assertions about HOV lanes being ineffective are based on opinions that are in direct conflict with factual data. "

Waiting EAGERLY for you to start posting some factual data, Patrick.

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@hotmail.com), January 26, 2000.

dbvz

Have you noticed that there are more lanes on I-5 through Olympia in one direction than there are through Seattle in both directions? Seems like something is wrong here.

-- Jim Labyak (jimlab@msn.com), January 27, 2000.

"Have you noticed that there are more lanes on I-5 through Olympia in one direction than there are through Seattle in both directions? Seems like something is wrong here."

Yes, your facts are wrong. There aren't six lanes in either direction on I-5 through Olympia. At its narrowest, there's six total general purpose lanes (not including three express lanes) on I- 5 in Seattle.

-- BB (bbquax@hotmail.com), January 27, 2000.