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Originally published Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 3:52 PM

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Editorial

Alaskan Way Viaduct: Why close off the tunnel option?

The two Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement options on the table now produce the worst of all worlds — either a traffic mess downtown or a new copy of the current edifice. State and local leaders should continue to consider a deep-bore tunnel.

Seattle Times editorial

THIS week's expected announcement of a resolution to the Alaskan Way Viaduct is a bit of a perversion of the Seattle process, and leads to suppositions that public participation was a charade.

The much-vaunted stakeholders meetings to discuss viaduct options led to a curious vote — most people representing organizations directly tied to the viaduct voted to consider a deep-bore tunnel. The vote of the committee was nearly unanimous, except for one.

The result has been a decision by the state to ignore that option and instead consider either a street system of flowing traffic or a new form of the current viaduct. The logical question to ask of the state and city's public deliberations is: What happened?

The state's initial response was, thanks, but there's not enough money for a tunnel. That's despite the initial commandment not to consider costs. Proponents say the full vetting process was not used to explore all the options.

Of the two variations for a viaduct replacement, the surface solution — including more than two-dozen traffic lights — seems wildly out of touch with the economic needs of the city. Critics have also pointed to a one-way Western Avenue as injurious to the connectivity of the city.

The North Seattle Industrial Council, whose livelihood is directly tied to its movement of goods through the city, strongly recommends a viaduct rebuild. People interested in a visual monument to Seattle like to see open access to water, sun and the Sound.

The tunnel option accommodates both, but with added costs. The two options on the table produce the worst of all worlds — either a traffic mess downtown or a new copy of the current edifice.

We have come so far, it seems thoughtless to pin this tail on the donkey now. The two options presented as the only options are quite possibly the worst options. Continue to consider a deep-bore tunnel.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

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Comments
The surface option will create the biggest obstruction to free flowing traffic and will thus be chosen. Our elected officials have said outright...  Posted on December 30, 2008 at 10:06 PM by brian from seattle. Jump to comment
A tunnel is the last place I would want to be when the next earthquake hits. How many that are pushing for the tunnel know that there are 6 major...  Posted on December 30, 2008 at 4:49 PM by wanative1945. Jump to comment
The six-lane viaduct roadway should be rebuilt closer to 1st Avenue; it should be partly recessed into the ground, as a six-lane highway where the...  Posted on December 31, 2008 at 12:13 AM by Streetsmart. Jump to comment

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