Tunnel vision on viaduct ignores simpler, better retrofit

The Alaskan Way Viaduct is not just a Seattle concern. It is a major north/south connector in the regional transportation network. The city of Seattle is asking all of us to share our scarce dollars to pay for the project.

After spending 15 years of my political career working on transportation issues in the region as mayor of SeaTac, as a Puget Sound Regional Council executive board member, and as chairman of the [Highway] 509 Executive Committee, I feel compelled to speak out.

The proposed tunnel to replace the viaduct is an absurd and fatally flawed solution that I feel is being pushed by big downtown developers for their own self-interests.

The cost would be staggering, somewhere between $4 billion and $11 billion, depending on whose figures you believe (think of the monorail, and it's déjà vu all over again). Federal officials have made it clear: There is no more money.

In addition to the political chances in Washington, D.C., being nil, it is also highly unlikely that any major tunnels will ever again be built in urban areas. Remember the 9/11 closing of the Holland Tunnel in New York City by an implied bomb threat? The city was paralyzed — one need only recall the television images of miles of gridlocked traffic.

What would happen in Seattle if a couple of crazy radicals in a rental truck loaded with explosive material did to an Alaskan Way tunnel what they did in Oklahoma City? Repairing the damage would disrupt not only the waterfront, but the entire city, for months on end.

Even a call from some nut could shut down the tunnel and force 100,000 vehicles onto the streets of downtown Seattle.

Now, if we don't have a tunnel, what could we do that makes sense?

Two prominent, retired engineers, Victor Gray and Neil Twelker, have said there is no need to replace the entire structure. They proposed a $300 million retrofit and refurbishing.

A retrofit could be accomplished by sections or levels, allowing reasonable traffic flows during repairs. It could be started immediately, providing jobs and economic stimulus.

With some $2 billion already allocated for the viaduct project, no additional money would be required — even if the actual cost is several times higher than initial estimates — and precious funding would be available for other critical upgrades such as for the Highway 520 bridge and Highway 509.

There is no question that the 520 bridge should be a priority, as it is a regional project and needed badly. Highway 509 is a natural connector to the viaduct and will substantially reduce traffic on other roadways, including 8,000 trucks a day from the Southcenter Hill on Interstate 5 near the Southcenter Mall. The 509 project is ready to move forward and will be a major economic stimulus for all of South King County.

Let's not spend billions on a tunnel or an entirely new viaduct when the present structure can be brought up to modern safety and seismic standards and be serviceable for many, many years.

Just look at the beautiful bridges in Europe that have lasted through the ages and are still in service. The taxpayers are tired of goofy schemes and want more bang for their buck.

I'll admit I'm a real fan of the present viaduct. I love the drive, with its panoramic view of Seattle's magnificent harbor and huge ships from all over the world on one side, and, on the other, the spectacular city skyline with its many beautiful buildings.

Let's retrofit and refurbish the viaduct as necessary, pressure-wash the concrete, and clean up the tacky looking areas underneath. The extensive property under the viaduct could become a beautiful park-like area for all our citizens to enjoy and connect to the bay and the waterfront.

I love Seattle. Let's make it even better.

Frank Hansen retired Jan. 1 as the mayor of the city of SeaTac.