Dear Downtown Seattle Association Members:

AT LAST!

Governor Signs
Bored Tunnel Bill!

The recent decision by our state leaders to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep-bored tunnel is a major victory for Downtown Seattle, for the region and the state. Thanks to your continued advocacy and involvement, we have reached an historic milestone and are one step closer to regaining the Seattle waterfront and maximizing our city’s most precious asset for generations to come. We could not have gotten here without you.

An eleventh hour amendment to the bill requiring Seattle property owners to pay for any cost overruns related to digging the tunnel, is a blemish to an otherwise very good bill. The amendment is unprecedented and inconsistent with the state's treatment of all other transportation projects in Washington. We believe the amendment violates the state constitution and is ultimately unenforceable.

While we're concerned about the cost-overrun stipulation, we will now focus our energies to ensure that the bored tunnel project lives up to our high expectations and stays within budget.

NEXT STEPS

Construction of the bored tunnel is just one element of this complex transportation project. Improvements to surface streets, such as Mercer and Spokane, replacement of the seawall and investment in new transit service are all required to ensure that people and goods can move within Downtown, not just through Downtown.

While we celebrate this 100-year impact decision, we must begin working in partnership with the city, state, county and business, labor, environmental and industrial leaders, to bring this vision for a world-class waterfront and integrated transportation infrastructure to life.

Thank you for your continued involvement in this historic effort.

View DSA's viaduct milestones

Read DSA news release