More than 100 people attended an open house at Adam’s Elementary this evening to learn more about plans to replace the Viaduct with a deep bored tunnel. The open house was organized by representatives from WSDOT, the City of Seattle and King County, who answered plenty of questions.
Phinney Ridge resident Robert Douglas wanted to know how he’d be affected. “I use the viaduct all the time,” he tells us, “So I was kind of curious to see how it was going to impact me, obviously, and my traveling back and forth from here to Sea-Tac, to West Seattle, to other destinations I go to.” WSDOT provided this map explaining how Ballard, Queen Anne, and other North Seattle commuters will access the tunnel (see larger map in .pdf format).

Bob Powers, the Deputy Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation tells us that construction of the bored tunnel is expected to begin in 2011 and be open to drivers in 2015. Added transit service will begin in 2010, and the Spokane Street and Mercer Street projects are slated to be complete by 2012.

Also: City council OK’s funding to rebuild Mercer Street
Plus: WSDOT renderings of the tunnel | Video animation

Join WSDOT, King County and the City of Seattle for a public scoping open house and get a first look at information on the bored tunnel recommendation to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Scoping is a public process for determining the environmental issues that should be addressed in the proposed project’s environmental document.

The meeting will be held Feb. 23, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Adams Elementary School, 6110 28th Ave. NW, Seattle.  You will learn more about investments in the transportation system of a bored tunnel, city streets, and transit and the tunnel’s environmental process. The meetings will also feature information on accessing the tunnel from Northwest and West Seattle.  Public comment will be collected in writing or via court reporter.

More information is available at www.alaskanwayviaduct.org

Based on the number of comments our “Are you tunnel or anti-tunnel” generated, we know that the impact of the proposed viaduct tunnel is an important topic to Magnolia residents.  Governor Gregoire and city and state officials plan to replace the viaduct with a deep bored tunnel under downtown Seattle.

The Magnolia Community Club is hosting a public forum on Thursday (2/12) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to focus on what the tunnel means for transportation to and from Magnolia.  The event is scheduled for the Catherine Blaine school cafeteria.  Representatives from the Washington State Department of Transportation and the City of Seattle will be there. Councilperson Larry Phillips, who recently announced his candidacy for King County Executive, is also expected to attend.

Elizabeth Campbell, one of the founders of the Magnolia Neighborhood Planning Council, has filed an initiative to block construction of the tunnel. She must collect at least 17,967 signatures by mid summer for the measure to be acted on by the City Council or submitted to a vote.

Magnolia resident Elizabeth Campbell ismoving ahead with an effort to stop the city from building a tunnel in favor of a new Viaduct. This week, she submitted her petition for an initiative, coincidentally designated Initiative 99. “This tunnel option is absurd,” explains Campbell on her website, YesViaduct.com. “(It) eliminates connections for the commuters and business drivers from Crown Hill, Ballard, Magnolia, and certain parts of Queen Anne. Over time, due to the tunnel’s design and traffic carrying constraints, over half of the now 115,000 people that use the Viaduct will no longer traverse through this portion of Seattle.” Campbell is now launching a petition effort: she has 180 days to collect 17,967 signatures. If she does, the city council can adopt Initiative 99 or put it to a public vote. Meanwhile, both state and city officialshave promised a deeper look at ways to lessen the impact of the tunnel on traffic to Ballard and surrounding neighborhoods. (Photo from YesViaduct.com).

Update: The governor made it official today: construction will begin on the $4.24 billion deep-bored tunnel in 2011, opening to drivers in 2015. And now the official reaction is coming in. “As representatives of the 36th Legislative District, we applaud this decisive action for how it will enhance the city and entire region,” said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Rep. Reuven Carlyle in a joint statement. “We recognize work remains to be done in ensuring ample funding and full access for all areas of Magnolia, Queen Anne and Ballard, including our essential maritime, manufacturing and industrial sectors.”

But the issue is access, particularly for people in West Queen Anne, Magnolia, and Ballard. the Western Ave. (above) and Elliott Ave. ramps, which currently serve about one-third of the total Viaduct traffic and will be eliminated with the tunnel (the brown dotted line below).

As reported by the magnoliavoice.com, The Magnolia Neighborhood Planning Council filed an initiative to block construction of the proposed underground tunnel to replace the viaduct. She will need to submit at least 17,967 signatures within 180 days for the measure to be acted on by the City Council or submitted to a vote.

Check myBallard.com for a complete update and links to a Face Sheet and video.

The Seattle Times reported Monday that the state and local governments have agreed to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel under downtown Seattle, Mayor Greg Nickels and Metropolitan King County Councilmember Dow Constantine confirmed today.

The state would cover the cost of the two-mile tunnel, with the city and county picking up the tab for surface-street and transit improvements. The total cost is expected to be around $4.25 billion, with the state’s share totaling $2.8 billion, according to a source close to Gov. Chris Gregoire. The city’s part of the deal would be just less than $1 billion, Nickels said. It would cover repairs to the sea wall, street improvements and possibly a streetcar line, he said.

The tunnel would be bored beneath the western edge of downtown, under First Avenue, which might allow the current viaduct to remain in use during tunnel construction.

What do you think about this decision?

Governor Christine Gregoire was due to make a decision on the Viaduct by the end of the year, but she has delayed the verdict until next month. “As a result of the continued overwhelming response and input on replacement options from stakeholders, we have asked our respective transportation teams to continue their review,” she said in a joint statement today with King County Executive Ron Sims and Mayor Greg Nickels. This isn’t the first delay, and some hope this could mean that the tunnel option may still be in play.

A view of the proposed elevated viaduct.

The debate about the I-99 viaduct and its future have been hotly debated over the last year.  What makes the most sense given the availability of funds from the State and other sources, current traffic patterns, neighborhood impacts, etc.?  For Queen Anne residents, the fate of the viaduct is extremely important.  You have another chance to express your opinion at a public meeting set for 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle. More information is available atalaskanwayviaduct.org.

Following is an excerpt from our sister newsblog, MyBallard.com.  

In a highly-anticipated announcement, the state has narrowed down the eight options to replace the viaduct to two hybrid proposals:

1) The “surface and transit” plan with three northbound lanes on Western Avenue, three southbound lanes on Alaskan Way and improvements along I-5 through downtown (fact sheet and more images).

2) The “elevated bypass” plan which involves two elevated structures side-by-side with two lanes each (fact sheet and more images).

So what do you think?

The Viaduct Stakeholders Advisory Committee meeting will be held November 13 at Town Hall from 4:30 pm till 8:00 pm.  The agenda includes updates and presentations regarding more findings about the possible options for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s Central Waterfront section. Washington State Dept. of Transportation has created an excellent website resource for tracking all meetings and briefings related to this project.  

Town Hall is located at 1119 Eighth Avenue, Seattle. 

The Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed this weekend for inspection. On Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to noon, WSDOT, King County and the city will be taking people on a 45-minute walking tour of the roadway. Participants will learn more about the history of Seattle’s downtown waterfront, how the viaduct is monitored and inspected, ongoing construction and upcoming work to replace the structure.

RSVPs are required. Please send an e-mail to viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov, or call 1–888–AWV–LINE. Please note that for safety purposes, no children under age 16 or pets are allowed on the tours. (Photo from WSDOT)