Politicians fascinate because they constitute such a paradox; they are an elite that accomplishes mediocrity for the public good.

George Will, Syndicated columnist

Anyone who drives past Burien's Town Square site knows the traffic lanes at Southwest 152nd Street and Fourth Avenue Southwest weren't designed by the brightest of engineering minds.

Motorists often are backed up at green lights because there are no dedicated left-turn lanes. Instead, they sit behind other vehicles yielding to oncoming traffic before turning left.

The mindset that gave Burien this second-rate traffic pattern also defended (in articles published in the Times/News last summer) work in progress on the First Avenue South Improvement Project.

City officials and the contractor are concerned about small businesses reeling from disruptions caused by major construction activity, we were assured.

If they care so much, then why do avoidable negative impacts continue, these business owners-and other Burien taxpayers-need to ask.

City council members should join them, and demand answers.

Based on what I observed at one of these businesses last week, the city's Public Works Department is blind to the obvious, clueless about the problem, or both.

I stopped by ABC Radiator Service at 15855 First Ave. S. to wish owner Russ Rizzo a happy new year. Pointing to new curbs and sidewalks along the street, I asked if that means things are about to return to normal.

If it does, customers again will have convenient access from First Avenue to his repair shop.

Mr. Rizzo, however, was not optimistic. And, at second glance, I saw why. Not only was the entry still blocked and unfinished, there was a large gap between the new curbing and his driveway.

How long had it been this way, I asked. About three weeks, he replied.

That is as inexcusable as it is absurd. It reflects no concern whatsoever for the needs of small business owners-especially when a temporary fix easily could have been made.

Then again, why couldn't the job on Mr. Rizzo's side of the curbs and sidewalks have been finished straight away?

Not only is common sense lacking, a chronic absence of understanding about business again has surfaced in Burien. The city can and must do better.

A FEW MILES farther north, we were told last week, big transportation changes are coming-in 2012.

Gov. Christ Gregoire announced that even if no option for replacing Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct is in place by then, the viaduct will come down-regardless of what Seattle and King County say about it.

This timetable assumes, of course, that she wins re-election in November. In that case, the governor's not-so-bold move would take place during her final year in office.

Someone else would inherit a gargantuan and costly traffic mess.

Once again, she has proven herself to be a master of evasion.

Last year, it's instructive to recall, Gov. Gregoire said she would not make her final-and inescapabley controversial-decision about replacing the viaduct until late 2008.

In so doing, she also displayed her uncanny skill at avoiding tough decisions until they can be made without political consequences.

Gov. Gregoire, who faces a hard challenge from Republican Dino Rossi (who twice won the 2004 election before losing a third recount), now can play all sides in this debate during this campaign year.

She tipped her hand, however, by indicating support for the anti-car, pro-gridlock, surface-street alternative to replacing the viaduct.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who has his own agenda, is attempting to dictate the terms of the deal despite the fact that the viaduct carries state Highway 99 above the waterfront.

Mr. Nickels wants a tunnel so his city won't have to pay for replacing a seawall even as it gains land for million-dollar condos along Elliott Bay.

Yet there remains hope for the logical option of a new elevated structure. Some practical-minded citizens believe retrofitting the viaduct will will solve the problem and save money.

Whatever happens will have real consequences for Highline motorists who commute to Seattle on State Route 509.

The solution may depend on whether common sense prevails among budget writers in the Legislature. Because once again, Gov. Gregoire is placing politics above leadership.

The views of Ralph Nichols are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at ralphn@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.