Solving obvious transportation problems around Seattle is like establishing peace in the Middle East: endless plans, criteria and road maps but very little progress.

The latest example is the Seattle City Council’s agreement on criteria for replacing the 520 bridge, a decision they delayed a week ago citing an outpouring of comments. The latest plan calls for a mediator to negotiate with all sides and present a plan in 20 months. They couldn’t even get behind the governor’s call for a replacement that would include transit lanes.

Remember this isn’t an optional project. Just like the viaduct freeway, there’s a real chance that the bridge could collapse in a natural disaster, costing lives and the economy.