The commuters who use state route 410 between Buckley and Enumclaw know all too well that there is a major problem. The normal 5-10 minute drive from Buckley to Enumclaw can be up to a 60 minute delay. This horror traffic has earned the name, “Buckley Back-up” by its local residents.

 

Cars jam packed and idling for hours not only frustrates commuters trying to get home to their families but idling one engine for just 10 minuets releases one pound of harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

 

The most crucial concern that every member of the community should have is how evacuation would be possible in the event of a disaster. 

 

We have many potential disasters due to inclement weather. Wind storms, blizzards, forest fire and the possible eruption of Mt Rainer. According to the Mt Rainer Volcanic Hazards plan “it is virtually certain that Mount Rainer will erupt again and that lahars, either eruption-related or not, will inundate valley floors that surround the mountain and are densely populated, causing severe …impacts”

 

“Twenty-five percent (25%) of Pierce County workers commute to other counties for employment. The result is a high volume of commuter and industrial traffic. Even on normal days, gridlocks are common with sizeable traffic backups.Envision an additional ten or twenty thousand cars filled with people desperate to get to safety; the gridlock will be unimaginable.”

 

The Hazards Plan, which is made up of first responders, scientists, health, city and county representatives also state that we are supposed to leave roads open for first responders and evacuees. This will be impossible on State Route 410.

 

The only thing the DOT has proposed is new traffic lights that are, according to an article written in “The Courier-Herald” supposed to make “smooth sailing of future trips.”  Modern lights won’t “tame” the 410 traffic.

 

Please sign this petition for the city of Buckley and WSDOT to create expansion of the 410 based on current traffic reports and studies done without any conflict of interest. 

 

SIGN THIS PETITION TO DEMAND EXPANSION TO THE 410 SO WE DON’T CREATE MORE TRAFFIC!!!!!