Yesterday, I blogged about the assessment of one of the nation's top site selection consultants that the Atlanta metro area's traffic mess is keeping businesses away. I wondered whether we'll become the next traffic-addled metro area to make a major company's short list of places to avoid.

Well, I have an answer for you from that consultant, Dennis J. Donovan, principal at Bridgewater, N.J.-based WDG Consulting. I e-mailed Dennis, and here's what he wrote back:

"I believe that traffic congestion is making the Puget Sound a less attractive business location and place to live. As most major improvements seem to be mass transit-oriented, I do not foresee any significant relief. Far more needs to be done with roads. In my opinion, Seattle will begin losing out on companies that ordinarily would have considered the area.

"Moreover, I can see existing companies placing expansion elsewhere. The pace of immigration will also likely slow. Traffic/commute time truncates labor markets (can't tap the entire region's base), leads to higher turnover and recruiting/training costs, constricts markets served, and raises shipping costs. Employees also experience more stress. Add it all up and traffic poses a major threat to the region's future economic success."

I would quibble with Dennis' emphasis on roads as a solution to the region's traffic woes. Certainly, they need attention. But transit, both rail and bus, need to be beefed up as the region inevitably gets denser. I would also add that we need a new way - and governmental culture - of land-use and transportation decision making.

Nevertheless, his assessment of our region must not be taken lightly. I appreciate his response and insight, and I hope to interview him further for additional content for the magazine. Stay tuned.