House Speaker Chopp says he won't block Alaskan Way Viaduct vote

OLYMPIA — House Speaker Frank Chopp on Thursday said he will not block a floor vote on a bill that calls for the Alaskan Way Viaduct to be replaced with a deep-bore tunnel.

Chopp has widely been viewed as the biggest political obstacle to the $4.3 billion project, which includes $3.1 billion for a four-lane, deep-bore tunnel under First Avenue and an elevated segment through Sodo.

The speaker had pushed his own plan for the viaduct replacement: an elevated freeway along the waterfront with retail, office and living space below it.

"I do not support the deep-bore tunnel. I don't think that is the right option, but ... will let it go to the floor," Chopp said during a news conference.

It was the first time he's publicly acknowledged he'd allow a floor vote, which could come as early as Monday.

Last month he'd indicated his position on the measure was softening, but figuring out the speaker's position on anything is often like reading tea leaves. He's rarely definitive about his stance on legislation.

House Transportation Committee Chairwoman Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, said she expects the measure will pass. "If it gets to the floor, I think we have enough votes for it," she said.

Senate Bill 5768 passed the Senate last month, but has been amended in the House.

In addition to pushing for a new elevated highway to replace the viaduct, Chopp has often expressed concerns about the tunnel's cost and whether the state would be on the hook to pay for potential cost overruns.

He's praised the Senate bill for limiting the state's commitment to the project at $2.4 billion.

Chopp on Thursday said he wants to add amendments that would strengthen the requirement to limit state funding to that amount.

No information was available yet on what the amendments will say; however, Clibborn said she did not expect anything in the bill that would prohibit the state from paying for potential cost overruns.

Amending the bill, Clibborn said, "may be the only way to get it out."

Tunnel supporters in the Legislature want to get the bill into state law, Clibborn said, because "it's a strong message that we're behind the tunnel."

Andrew Garber: 360-236-8266 or agarber@seattletimes.com