A Viaduct Option Is Buried

The state says there's no money for less capacity on a surface roadway.

A A A Comments By Mike Seely Wednesday, Apr 19 2006

Details

Seattle's Little Dig
Replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel is expensive, time-consuming, and complicated, but let's be clear: It's nothing compared to Boston's "Big Dig."

Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project
State Department of Transportation.

Seattle Central Waterfront Plan
City Department of Planning and Development.

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A City Council member asked and the state secretary of transportation has answered: State and federal funding are not available for an Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement that has less capacity than the present elevated highway on Seattle's waterfront. That would seem to rule out a surface boulevard favored by some, narrowing the choice to an elevated replacement like present-day Highway 99 or a tunnel favored by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels.

On Monday, April 17, state Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald faxed a letter to Seattle City Council member David Della stating that the council's envisioned surface option "would not be what the Legislature had in mind" for $2 billion earmarked for the project in a transportation bill. MacDonald cited language in the bill passed by lawmakers in 2004: "Funding provided by this act for the Alaskan Way Viaduct project shall not be spent for construction of the project if it could have the effect of reducing roadway capacity on that facility."

"In conclusion," writes MacDonald, "we believe that the Legislature's commitment of state funding for the project is grounded in the understanding that the project to be supported will materially replace the capacity in the existing corridor." Neither the surface alternative evaluated in a draft environmental impact statement of three surface lanes in each direction nor a lower-capacity "no replacement" option of two surface lanes in each direction would meet that intent, MacDonald wrote. He also expressed doubt about whether the surface option would be eligible for $220 million in similarly appointed federal funds, concluding: "If something other than 'replacement' is proposed, Congress would have to change the language to allow these earmarked funds to be used."

State officials say the $2.2 billion total available is enough to replace the 53-year-old, earthquake-vulnerable viaduct with another elevated highway. But Nickels wants to find more funding to build a cut-and-cover tunnel for Highway 99 along the waterfront.

mseely@seattleweekly.com

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