Judge rules WSDOT must turn over 520 Bridge documents
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SEATTLE -- A judge on Thursday ordered the Washington Department of Transportation to turn over key documents involving the new 520 Bridge.
An investigation revealed problems with leaks and cracks in pontoons on the new 520 Bridge, and the Problem Solvers wanted to know how much taxpayers will have to pay for construction delays and pontoon repairs.
No one at WSDOT will answer that question, saying the costs are subject to negotiation with the contractor, Kiewit.
The Problem Solvers used public records laws to get those documents, but all the information about repair and delay costs was blacked out.
On Thursday, KOMO's attorney argued the 520 Bridge construction is an important project that the citizens have a right to know about.
"We have this huge project being built that's already got problems, that's already behind, that has clearly identified risks and somehow or other the public isn't supposed to know that there's a train wreck coming?" said attorney Judy Endejan.
Assistant Attorney General Scott Lockwood argued that handing over the documents would "adversely impact the department's ability to get the best cost for the public if this information were made public."
In the end, judge Judy Ramseyer ruled that the state did not meet its burden of proof and that the records KOMO is asking for are more "weekly status updates" than part of any contractor negotiations.
"The burden is on the state, and it's a heavy burden," Ramseyer said.
The state has two weeks to decide if it will appeal the decision.
An investigation revealed problems with leaks and cracks in pontoons on the new 520 Bridge, and the Problem Solvers wanted to know how much taxpayers will have to pay for construction delays and pontoon repairs.
No one at WSDOT will answer that question, saying the costs are subject to negotiation with the contractor, Kiewit.
The Problem Solvers used public records laws to get those documents, but all the information about repair and delay costs was blacked out.
On Thursday, KOMO's attorney argued the 520 Bridge construction is an important project that the citizens have a right to know about.
"We have this huge project being built that's already got problems, that's already behind, that has clearly identified risks and somehow or other the public isn't supposed to know that there's a train wreck coming?" said attorney Judy Endejan.
Assistant Attorney General Scott Lockwood argued that handing over the documents would "adversely impact the department's ability to get the best cost for the public if this information were made public."
In the end, judge Judy Ramseyer ruled that the state did not meet its burden of proof and that the records KOMO is asking for are more "weekly status updates" than part of any contractor negotiations.
"The burden is on the state, and it's a heavy burden," Ramseyer said.
The state has two weeks to decide if it will appeal the decision.
WSDOT the same group of people drinking at the office and getting drunk during work hours? Â
The problem is WSDOT is probably still engineering the design fix to make sure that they get it right then they have to talk with the contractor about how much that fix will cost so there are no REAL numbers right now and the general public will throw a fit when the numbers are released and then changed when the final design and costs come in. Really is all KOMO has done is waste more tax payer money by taking WSDOT to court since our tax dollars pay for their lawyers. Tracey V is a worthless reporter that doesn't check facts and exploits the story, Pretty sure she's just trying to win some worthless media award or something.
Oh yeah, they had to have known it was gonna happen sooner or later. Alright DOT, let's have it!
Hip hip hooray!
I would like to know the overhead and how much more the WSDOT budget has increased and exceeded since Paula Hammond has been the DOT secretary. That woman needs to be released.
 @northwestsurfer Inslee hasn't said anything yet about a new WSDOT Secretary. Could be that his headhunting team is still looking for people. Â
Go KOMO  - thank you so much for your investigation!  But now we need all the local news stations to join you in this investigation.  You get the credit for the story but we need everyone on this so WSDOT knows they are being watched big time.  We know they waste money - we want to know how much and where and why.  A private business could not survive if it had the missteps/mistakes  WSDOT regularly makes.  WSDOT on the other hand, - is thriving and asking for more money to squander.  Paula Hammond would never survive in the private sector!
I think when this is fully investigated there will be evidence of fraud from both the contractors and the higher-ups in the WSDOT management such as Paula Hammond.
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Someone needs to go to jail for this.
@ChrisJericho totally agreed
Hope the next major press release is large scale shake up in WSDOT...
Great investigative reporting, KOMO! Thank you.
Yes! Pull this vermin out into the light of the day, and let us look upon its hideous form.
Sad that our government needs to be told that the can't hid things from the people who are in theory their bosses.
 @APenny4MyThoughts That's no theory, it's reality. Don't let them make you think it's not.
Government is corrupt and wasteful at every level, as long as mindless voters keep passing levy's and other nonsense tax hikes nothing will change. Vote no on every tax increase/levy, they take in enough money they just don't know how to spend wisely.Â