 |
Bored Tunnel Recommended for Viaduct Replacement
Governor Says “The Time is Now; Let’s Go Get it Done”
Downtown Seattle Association leaders Patrick Gordon, Rob Sexton, John Hanley, Mark Houtchens, Jim Neal, Kate Joncas and others celebrated this morning at a news conference during which plans were announced to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a non-elevated solution.
At the news conference, Gov. Chris Gregoire, County Executive Ron Sims, Mayor Greg Nickels and Port CEO Tay Yoshitani announced their agreement to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep-bored tunnel under Downtown Seattle. The plan also includes important investments in improved bus service, east-west city streets, a new seawall, relocated utilities and an upgraded waterfront promenade.
“We’ve been addressing concerns about the viaduct for the past 50 years, and have consistently believed that a new elevated highway on the waterfront was the wrong decision for the future of Downtown. Finally, the opportunity for a vibrant, world-class waterfront free of a noisy and unsightly two-mile wall dividing it from the rest of Downtown is now within our reach,” said Gordon, chair of DSA’s board of trustees.
|
|
May 1958: During its first board meeting, DSA discussed the need for ramps to provide access and egress from the recently completed Alaskan Way Viaduct to the Center City - as the Viaduct was originally conceived as a bypass highway through Seattle without option for exiting in Downtown. On/Off ramps were later added to Columbia and Seneca streets.
January 2002: DSA Planning Committee sends first memo to the DSA Board regarding replacement of the viaduct.
2003: DSA committees worked on viaduct replacement design principles which were endorsed by the Board in 2003 and 2007.
December 2004: DSA endorses a tunnel option to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct and opposes construction of a new elevated highway on the waterfront.
March 2007: DSA leads the campaign to defeat a new elevated highway on the waterfront. Fifty-five percent of Seattle voters reject construction of a new viaduct.
December 2007: DSA board member Rob Sexton is appointed to the Viaduct Stakeholders Advisory Committee.
2008: DSA urges the viaduct project team to consider economic impacts and opportunities of the Viaduct replacement project.
October 2008: DSA leads fact-finding visit to San Francisco to learn from the city’s experience in removing the Embarcadero Freeway from its waterfront.
December 2008: DSA and leading developers conclude that the “Integrated Elevated” replacement option is not economically viable. The Viaduct project team eliminated the option from further consideration.
December 2008: DSA concludes a year-long effort working alongside environmental, labor, neighborhood and business leaders to inform the decision to replace the viaduct. The DSA formally endorses improvements to surface streets, new transit service and consideration for a bored tunnel as the preferred replacement option for the viaduct.
January 2009: DSA joins stakeholders and elected officials to celebrate the decision to remove the viaduct, reconnect Downtown to the waterfront, invest in new transit service and construct a four-lane bored tunnel.
|
|
Last month the DSA board of trustees voted unanimously to recommend that the state move forward with improvements to I-5, transit and surface streets, and the continued investigation of a deep-bore tunnel. This position was communicated to the governor, county executive and mayor, emphasizing DSA’s vision of viaduct-free waterfront.
In the days following the DSA letter, momentum for constructing the tunnel now – rather than later – began to build, as information about its feasibility was further studied. “The governor, county executive and mayor should be commended for their leadership in embracing the public process and for being open to exploring new information,” added Gordon.
“When the viaduct is removed, it is also imperative that transit service is increased to maintain and improve access to Downtown for employees and residents, as construction of a new bored tunnel by itself will not provide sufficient mobility without improvements to surface streets and new transit service,” said Sexton, chair of the DSA’s transportation committee, who worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce as well as
other members of
the Alaskan Way Viaduct stakeholder advisory committee.
“The DSA is committed to continuing our work to increase the frequency and reliability of transit service, to, through and within the Center City. New streetcars, bus service, bike lanes and light rail service will improve access to Downtown, and are all essential to give people options from driving alone,” added Sexton.
“This solution meets every criterion we had listed on our design principals and will give us a beautiful waterfront. Of course there is a still lot to do at the state legislature, but a major hurdle has been overcome,” said Joncas. “DSA and its leaders were significant in this win; we have been clear and steadfast in opposition to replacing the existing viaduct with a new elevated highway since 2001. There is a lot to say for a strong, engaged community organization that is in it for the long term, and we have benefited from great volunteer leaders on the Board and committees. This is truly a day for celebration!”
The bored-tunnel option also minimizes impacts to waterfront businesses during construction, a key factor addressed by the Governor at today’s announcement.
Following years of discussion, study and debate, Gov. Gregoire received wide applause at the conclusion of today’s news conference when she said, “The time is now; let’s go get it done.”
Read Viaduct Letter of Agreement signed today by Gov. Gregoire, County Executive Sims and Mayor Nickels
|
|
