Some people say the ports of Tacoma and Seattle need to cooperate more. In reality, the two ports cooperate far more than most people realize.

But what if all that cooperation went for naught? What if the two ports did everything possible together to make sure their terminals ran efficiently, only to find the cargo moving over their docks get stuck in a traffic jam right outside their gates? What if their partners in ensuring an efficient transportation system simply dropped the ball and failed to make critical investments in highways, raill lines, or local roads?

That is the question posed by Port of Tacoma CEO John Wolfe and Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani in a letter to state transportation leaders.

"Our ports are working hard to reverse the decline of market share for Puget Sound ports," they wrote. Without support from the state, however, that cooperation will be wasted they explained. "We need your help in maintaining our competitive edge and ask you to work with your colleagues to agree on a transportation revenue package so that we can all move forward in our great state."

A copy of the full letter can be found here: Joint POS-POT letter on transpo- FINAL