Panel OKs city role in viaduct project

The role the city will play in replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct was approved by the City Council Transportation Committee Tuesday, as part of a new memorandum of agreement between the city and state.

The agreement gives detailed responsibilities for replacing the viaduct with a bored tunnel, part of a $4.2 billion viaduct-replacement project. The cost to build the tunnel itself is $1.9 billion.

Under the agreement, the state will pay for the deep bore tunnel and a surface street along Alaskan Way. It will also pay to tear down the existing viaduct.

The city will pay for a new sea wall, a promenade along the waterfront and utility relocation.

The agreement, which didn't have any dollar commitments, now goes to the full council, where it is expected to be approved.

In January, Mayor Greg Nickels pledged $930 million as the city's share for the viaduct.

Times staff and news services

Information in this article, originally published September 30, 2009, was corrected October 8. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the cost of the tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The cost to build the tunnel itself is $1.9 billion.