Viaduct funding needs public vote

Several members of the Seattle City Council, eager to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with an expensive tunnel, are seeking ways around Gov. Christine Gregoire's recommendation that voters choose between a tunnel and an aerial rebuild.

Let the public have its say.

Some council members are talking about ideas for another alternative — say, a smaller tunnel combined with a bigger surface street along the waterfront. Others are fixating on the word "advisory," arguing such a vote would lack binding authority, so why bother? Still others are calling the cost of a special election an expensive unfunded state mandate. The truth is, the council is afraid voters will opt for the more-cost-efficient proposal, the rebuild.

It is very embarrassing to fear your own voters, especially since some council members are up for re-election next fall. They will face the public one way or another.

A vote is the only way to get off high center. The vote may be advisory but the council would be foolish to proceed with a project voters don't want or can't afford.

Polls show voters like the tunnel but not as heartily when they realize how expensive it will be — $1.8 billion more than the rebuild. The governor says there is not enough money to build the tunnel.

The decision on replacing the viaduct is a big one. In an ideal world, the council or the Legislature would make the call. But because there is not enough money for the tunnel, taxpayers who will pay the difference should decide.

Obviously, if council members can hatch a compromise that pleases everyone, it is fine to try.

But Gregoire is correct when she says no action is not an option and that delaying and dillydallying is another iteration of doing nothing.

The governor asked Seattle to make a decision before the end of the legislative session in April. The council must stick to that schedule and craft a ballot measure that tells the truth about the costs of a tunnel and a rebuild, and explains that Seattle taxpayers would pay the difference and the cost overruns.

Mayor Greg Nickels, to his credit, has agreed to abide by a vote of the people.

The council ducked one opportunity to hear from voters. It should not attempt to run around — or fear the wisdom of — voters a second time.