Seattle Press on Line - So, Where's the Money Coming From for $11 Billion Viaduct?

So, Where's the Money Coming From for $11 Billion Viaduct?

By Sara Longley

Aug 15, 2002 -- What to do with the Alaskan Way Viaduct--that is the $11.9 billion question. Or, depending who you talk to, perhaps it's only a $300 million question. The replacement cost of the earthquake-damaged structure was the focus of an August 7 forum hosted by City Councilmember Nick Licata.

As we reported last issue, the State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Seattle Transportation Department (SeaTran) and the City Council and Mayor support the most costly option: a cut-and-cover tunnel running the length of the waterfront. The deal includes repair of the aging seawall and a new tunnel to replace the Battery Street tunnel, which could reconnect streets in the South Lake Union area and ease congestion in the "Mercer Mess."

Licata, one of two council members to vote against council approval of the $11.9 billion tunnel plan, brought together civil engineer Victor Gray, SeaTran project manager Bob Chandler, Philip Wohlstetter of Allied Arts, Rob Ketcherside of the Pedestrian Advisory Board and State Representatives Helen Sommers and Frank Chopp.

Gray presented his proposal, which he said has been ignored by WSDOT, to retrofit the Viaduct for the relatively small cost of $300 million. He would accomplish this by using a process of "jet grouting" to solidify the soil underneath the structure, and then installing "base isolator" devices that would act as shock absorbers in the event of an earthquake. He pointed out that, of 64 separate units that make up the Viaduct, only one was damaged enough by the Nisqually Earthquake to require repair.

SeaTran's Bob Chandler gave a short description of the preferred plan. He disagreed with Gray's assertion that base isolators would solve the earthquake problem. "Those 64 units are separate, and they're going to move in 64 different ways," he said. The three options Chandler presented included a complete rebuild rather than a retrofit, a new aerial structure, and the tunnel.

State Representative Helen Sommers, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, raised the hard questions of cost. "We have no funding source for even the cheapest proposed solution," she said. She also raised the specter of developers grabbing up all the newly-available view property along the waterfront. "I am not confident about how the city would develop--or not develop--this area," she said. "I don't feel confident about the City keeping the waterfront for individuals."

House Speaker Frank Chopp placed the financial responsibility squarely with the planners of the project: "I urge stakeholders in the design process to come up with a financing plan," he said. "Yes, we want a city with great vision, but we also want a city that can afford it."

A "Seattle Solution"

Architect Art Skolnik advocated for the retrofit plan, proposing a "Seattle solution." "Keep the viaduct and retrofit it," he urged. His vision included acoustic modifications to lessen traffic noise, and the creation of "parking reservoirs" in key locations. He favored an end to parking under the viaduct and the creation of pedestrian amenities instead, including a grandiose dream of opening the upper deck of the viaduct to be a pedestrian promenade on weekends and special occasions.

Skolnik made light of Allied Arts' Phillip Wohlstetter's concern that the Viaduct blocks people from the waterfront.

"The waterfront works," said Skolnik. "This 'stone wall' doesn't exist except in the minds of people who want to get rid of it." It was the only applause line of the day.

SeaTran's Chandler said the necessary Environmental Impact Statement, which will examine the four options for the Viaduct and the seawall (no action, rebuild, an aerial structure or a tunnel), is planned for completion sometime next spring. The public process will continue through the fall with discussions of what to put on the surface above the planned tunnel. While he did say that public opinion is running in favor of a tunnel, SeaTran will be "going through the public process" and public comments could change the course of the project.

Reader Comments

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James Iuliano	Aug 20, 2002	Seattle, WA	Software Engineer
1. If earthquakes are such a danger to the viaduct, why wasn't this issue raised years ago? Because that's not really the issue. This is a POLITICAL issue being driven by developers. 2. Why is a tunnel favored over refitting the viaduct? Because this is a POLITICAL issue being driven by developers. The arguements for a tunnel are insane. The "liquefaction" and "earthquake" sound bites are just a bunch of two dimensional fear mongering crap being foisted upon us by the politicians and the media. One part of that bridge needed reinforcing after the Nisqually earthquake, and did anyone notice that this is exactly the same area where downtown buildings also suffered the most damage!? Earthquakes are dangerous, luckily they don't happen with great frequency in this area. I've been driving that viaduct for seventeen years, and I expect I could drive on it for another seventeen years at least - if it were left alone.


jim	Aug 28, 2002	gig harbor,wa	truck driver
IT'S JUST THE STATE OF WASHINGTON SHOVING ANOTHER NON-COST EFFECTIVE ROAD TAX DOWN OUR THROATS.IT'S JUST LIKE THE NEW NARROWS BRIDGE THAT WAS VOTED ON EXCEPT THAT THEY ADDED A COUPLE OF COUNTIES THAT DONT EVEN USE IT TO GET IT PASSED,AND AT THAT TIME THEY WERE VOTING ON A BRIDGE THAT WAS GOING TO COST 3 MILLION..............HHHHMMMMMMM NOW ITS SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 8 MILLION AND STILL CLIMBING GO FIGURE..........POLITICS.


Michael Weidler	May 03, 2003	Seattle, WA	Professional Temporary
The reason I like the 11B solution is that it kills a whole flock of birds with one stone. The seawall is replaced, the view improves, and most importantly, traffic flow will be restored in the Mercer/SLU/Seattle Center area. This will improve traffic considerably! If we can't do this one then I suggest looking into that $300M solution. Everything else is just a waste of money.