Licata wants public vote on replacing viaduct with tunnel

Should the Alaskan Way Viaduct be replaced with a tunnel? That's the question Seattle City Council President Nick Licata wants to see on the November ballot.

Licata said Thursday that he will introduce a resolution later this month that calls for a public vote on tunnel replacement. He wants the ballot question to read, "Should Seattle construct a tunnel to replace the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct?"

"We don't have enough funding to pay for a tunnel," Licata said. "A tunnel likely costs at least $1 billion more than a rebuild, and Seattle residents may have to pay the difference and any cost overruns."

Licata's proposal would prevent voters from choosing other options, such as an other elevated structure, a tear-down of the existing viaduct or a retrofit. He said those options could be explored if Seattle voters turn down the tunnel.

Councilman David Della, who with Licata opposes the tunnel, is a co-sponsor of the resolution.

The resolution won't go to a council vote before the state's expert review panel, which is studying viaduct options, comes out with its report Sept. 1, said Tatsuo Nakata, Della's aide. Della is hoping for a vote on the resolution Sept. 11.

Several council members have suggested that they would rather make a decision on viaduct replacement without putting it to voters.

"I want the council not to forget that a good portion of the public is expecting to have a say in this decision," Licata said.

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