Originally published Thursday, January 1, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
Tunnel option was disliked by nearly everybody
In February 2007, Gov. Christine Gregoire dismissed the idea of replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel. A few weeks later, Seattle voters overwhelming rejected a tunnel proposal. But now a combination of politics and new information apparently have pushed the tunnel back to the forefront.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Tunnels are hard to kill in Seattle.
That's been proved, repeatedly, when it comes to ideas for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with an underground route.
Gov. Christine Gregoire dismissed a proposed tunnel in February 2007, largely because of safety issues, and said it would be "irresponsible." Seattle voters overwhelmingly rejected a tunnel proposal a few weeks later. Earlier this month, transportation planners said it wasn't a near-term option, and endorsed either using surface streets or building another elevated highway.
But now a combination of politics and a second look at new tunneling technology apparently have pushed the option back to the forefront.
Interest groups in Seattle just this month coalesced around the idea of replacing the viaduct with a tunnel and pressed Gregoire to more seriously consider the option.
The state Legislature had set a Dec. 31 deadline for Gregoire to decide how to replace the viaduct, but the governor's office now says a decision will be made sometime this month.
Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee, said the governor was right to act on their concerns. "I think it is respectful of the process," she said.
In addition, several transportation and tunneling experts argued in recent months that a bored tunnel could be a lot cheaper than the state had previously thought.
In explaining the renewed interest in the tunnel, Judd said Gregoire has only recently turned her full attention on the viaduct replacement.
She was busy with her re-election campaign this past fall, and more recently focused on crafting a proposed state budget to deal with a nearly $6 billion shortfall, he said.
She has a right, he said, to take a step back. "She is the one who has the burden of making this decision. So it is her choice to reach out and force us to go back and rethink things."
The bored tunnel is not a new idea, however. The state Department of Transportation has conducted limited studies of the option, and Dino Rossi, the Republican candidate for governor last fall, floated the idea of such a tunnel to replace the viaduct. Gregoire's campaign questioned his cost estimates as too low.
![]()
Rossi, contacted on vacation in Arizona, just said "go figure" when told that the governor was now considering a bored tunnel. "It is the most logical solution, which was why I proposed it," he said.
If Gregoire ends up recommending a tunnel, it's not clear how that would play out in the Legislature.
House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, seemed skeptical. "I'd have to take a look at what they are proposing. It was already rejected by the voters. I don't think the voters were distinguishing between one kind of tunnel versus another. Also the question is how do you pay for it," he said.
Chopp has his own option he's been pushing: a four-lane elevated viaduct covered by a park, with buildings underneath. He wouldn't comment on his plans for that proposal.
Andrew Garber: 360-236-8266 or agarber@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
Arson suspect has long history of setting fires
Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away
UPDATE - 03:57 PM
Kent man challenges Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' gun ban

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Man says he will protest city's gun ban by carrying gun into community center
- OSU game thread
678 - Police investigate videotaped arrest
635 - Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban
357 - GOP clueless as families struggle with health care
197 - NYC trial for 9/11 suspects poses risks
132 - Kent man challenges Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' gun ban
102 - Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
101 - Wright State game thread
97 - Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue
89 - Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
71
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- An 802.11n upgrade could make a big difference
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15





