Flickr photo via pgsvenk

Perhaps no political issue in the state will have as much impact on technology workers as the plan to rebuild the 520 bridge. Thousands of technology workers each day cross the 47-year-old floating span, which connects Seattle to the tech-heavy burbs of Bellevue (home to Expedia), Redmond (home to Microsoft and Nintendo) and Kirkland (home to Clearwire and Google).

But what's the best way to get those workers across Lake Washington? A group of political leaders and neighborhood groups -- including newly-elected Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, House Speaker Frank Chopp and City Council member Nick Licata -- on Monday proposed a six-lane span which would include two dedicated lanes for bus and rail transit. But Gov. Chris Gregoire noted that changing the configuration of the proposed bridge plan now -- which consists of a six-lane bridge with two dedicated HOV lanes -- would delay the project by 18 to 24 months.

Publicola also reports that the McGinn and Chopp-backed bridge proposal would meet opposition from house transportation chair Judy Clibborn who said the new concept "can't go forward" in part because it would require a new environmental assessment. She also flatly told Publicola that the option is too expensive and there's no money to support rail across 520.

But other groups -- including the Sierra Club, The Washington Park Arboretum Foundation and Cascade Bicyle Club -- argue that the current proposal with the HOV lanes favors cars over light rail. That design is slated to cost $4.5 billion to $4.6 billion, and as the P-I reports the state still isn't sure how the bridge will be paid for.

For years, politicians, environmental groups, business leaders and others have debated the 520 bridge replacement. Tech workers have a lot to gain -- or lose -- by making sure it is done right. What option makes the most sense to you?

[Flickr photo via pgsvenk]