Port giving $200 million for tunnel to downtown

The Port of Seattle agreed Friday to put $200 million in its budget to help replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel.

The $200 million from the Port is still just a fraction of the estimated $1 billion the state says is the difference between rebuilding the viaduct and replacing parts of it with a tunnel through downtown Seattle.

The Port had long been considered a major player in the viaduct decision. The state estimates that replacing the viaduct will cost $2.5 billion to $3 billion, and a tunnel will be about $4 billion.

The city wants the tunnel; the state says if the extra money can't be found, it will rebuild the highway.

But Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis is confident the city can come up with the extra money, and said it includes up to $300 million from city utilities for the relocation of utility lines, up to $200 million from the city's own transportation fund, up to $250 million from the Army Corps of Engineers for replacing the seawall, and money from a regional tax package yet to be placed on the ballot — in addition to the money from the Port.

Under the Port's plan, which still must be approved when it adopts its budget Nov. 22, the commission would contribute $20 million a year for 10 years, beginning in 2009.

"This is essential to the city's economy and freight mobility for the Port," said outgoing commissioner Paige Miller, "but it comes at a price."

To put money into the viaduct, the Port will have to defer adding container capacity and maintenance at the Port's seaport facilities.

Port Commission Chairman Bob Edwards said the money is for the city's preferred alternative, the tunnel, but if the state decides to rebuild the viaduct instead, the Port would have to re-examine its commitment.

But under the rebuild scenario, the state says it already has enough money and wouldn't need help from the Port.

The new gas tax, validated by voters this week, commits $2 billion to the viaduct's replacement. The federal government says it will contribute another $250 million. With that money, plus other state funding already committed, the state said it has enough money to build a new viaduct.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com