Seattle to kick in $15 million help pay for a new South Park Bridge

As promised, the Seattle City Council has pledged $15 million to help pay for the South Park Bridge.

The deteriorating drawbridge across the Duwamish River is scheduled to close at the end of June. King County had sought federal stimulus money to pay for the $130 million replacement costs but didn't get any funds. In a competing bid, Seattle got $50 million for its Mercer Street project.

When applications for the funding were submitted last fall, only three of nine council members were willing to sign onto a letter supporting the South Park Bridge.

In a letter signed by council members this week, though, the council promises to support the county's application for federal stimulus money this year.

"Seattle will not submit or support TIGER II grant proposals for any other projects that might otherwise be candidates for this funding source," they wrote.

Then they hinted that they might need a little help from the county as well, writing:

"Among other pressing needs we must secure funding for a $300 million Central Seawall replacement project. We need our regional partners to work with us on critical regional projects such as the Central Seawall project and transit investments."

Of course, $15 million barely makes a dent in the project cost.

"The county is going to be doing the heavy lifting in terms of this project," said City Council Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Rasmussen. "It's certainly showing that we want to be as helpful as we can."

To put the contribution into perspective, the city announced $15 million in midyear budget cuts Monday. Those included closing 10 wading pools, laying off 13 employees and postponing the hiring of 21 police officers.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com