My colleague, Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, and pro-tunnel advocates holding a photograph in Council chambers earlier today showing 10 years worth of studies, reports, and technical reviews related to the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project.
(UPDATED February 28 at 4:48 p.m.) The City Council voted 8-1 (O'Brien voting against) this morning to proceed with the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project by approving contracts between City utilities and the State of Washington. Our vote to override the Mayor’s veto of these agreements comes on the 10th anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake that damaged the viaduct.
For a good citizen perspective on why this project should proceed, read this opinion piece in today's Seattle Times. After the jump, read Councilmember Nick Licata's perspective on all this. Not usually known as a voice for downtown interests or mega spending, Councilmember Licata provides a fact-based, rational argument in favor of the tunnel and why the so-called surface/I-5/transit alternative isn't viable.
Here's Councilmember Licata's newsletter that tells the truth about the often-touted but unreasonable surface/I-5/transit alternative to the deep-bore tunnel. And this article details the facts about the contracts we reaffirmed today.
If you weren’t in Seattle during the Nisqually earthquake in 2001, you can watch this video.