February 14th, 2011
The impending loss of the 619 Western Building resulting from Alaska Way Viaduct tunneling presents 3 problems: finding new accommodations for the displaced artists; the building by law must be saved or replaced in a manner that retains the historical character of the neighborhood; and potential impacts on Pioneer Square’s cultural vitality must be mitigated by relocating as many displaced artists as possible within the neighborhood.
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January 24th, 2011
While the debate will rage on about whether the state will pay for any cost overruns on the deep bore tunnel, the flip side of the issue is whether Seattle would keep the money already allocated to this project for a surface road alternative, as the Mayor prefers.
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Posted: January 24th, 2011 under
Development and Sustainability,
Government,
Planning and Land Use,
Transportation,
UP.
Tags:
Alaskan Way Viaduct,
Construction and Land Use (DCLU),
Department of Transportation,
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS),
SDOT,
Tunnel,
UP,
WSDOT
June 7th, 2010
The question that has dominated the discussion of the deep bore tunnel replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct has been: who will pay for any cost overruns? The answer is the State with regards to the contract for the tunnel. The reason is that the contractor that wins the design-build contract for the tunnel will be signing a contract with the State of Washington, not the City of Seattle. The contract will oblige WSDOT to cover risks associated with the tunnel. The City of Seattle will not be contractually obligated to cover cost overruns for the tunnel.
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January 8th, 2007
I have drafted and will introduce, along with Councilmember David Della, a measure for a Seattle public vote on a replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The measure calls for a vote between an elevated option and a tunnel. The measure would implement the Governor’s proposal for a vote of Seattle residents.
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Posted: January 8th, 2007 under
Transportation,
UP.
Tags:
Alaskan Way Viaduct,
Tunnel,
UP,
WSDOT
September 22nd, 2006
The Council voted first in committee, then in Full Council. They delayed the vote on a resolution calling for a funding agreement between the City on the State on who would cover funding shortfalls or cost overruns.
I voted “no” on the ordinance which would proceed with the tunnel option and eliminate an elevated highway option. I voted in favor of a public vote and an agreement on cost overruns. I introduced the funding agreement measure and one of the public vote resolutions.
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Posted: September 22nd, 2006 under
Transportation,
UP.
Tags:
Alaskan Way Viaduct,
UP,
WSDOT
August 10th, 2006
On August 3, I announced my intent to introduce a resolution to the City Council calling for a public vote on a tunnel replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The proposal calls for a public vote on the following “Yes” or “No” question:
“Should Seattle construct a tunnel to replace the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct?”
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December 5th, 2002
This edition of Urban Politics is an update on the Alaskan Way Viaduct. I’ll first give an update on events since August, then provide my perspective at the end.
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Posted: December 5th, 2002 under
Budget and Economic Development,
Planning and Land Use,
Seattle Public Utilities,
Transportation,
UP.
Tags:
Alaskan Way Viaduct,
Department of Transportation (DOT),
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS),
Tunnel,
UP,
WSDOT
July 31st, 2002
The future of the Alaskan Way Viaduct could be the biggest capital investment the City of Seattle faces in the next 50 years. Cost estimates vary from $3.5 billion to rebuild the viaduct to over $11.6 billion for a tunnel. The City Council passed a resolution favoring a tunnel option, and the Washington State Department of Transportation has announced a tunnel as their preferred alternative. But shouldn’t we be asking if a tunnel is an affordable option?
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July 17th, 2002
The resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck, lists the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Project as a high priority, and lays out a set of principles to guide City actions on the project, such as addressing safety risks, phasing of construction, to funding and design. The resolution prioritizes an underground tunnel “to the maximum extent practicable and feasible,” for the portion along the waterfront, and to a portal north of Roy Street in lower Queen Anne.
[More]
Posted: July 17th, 2002 under
Budget and Economic Development,
Neighborhoods,
Planning and Land Use,
Public Safety,
Transportation,
UP.
Tags:
Alaskan Way Viaduct,
City Neighborhood Council,
Mercer Street,
Neighborhoods Arts and Civil Rights,
Seawall,
Sound Transit Rail System,
South Lake Union,
UP,
WSDOT
