As reported here, the Seattle City Council voted to go for the tunnel option as the way to replace the SR-99 Alaskan Way Viaduct, and they also voted to not go for an advisory vote (which would be non-binding in any case) this November.
The decision as to whether the plans for building the tunnel, as well as a replacement for the aging SR-520 Evergreen Point floating bridge, and the funds required for both projects are feasible, now go to the governor. Her spokesperson Kristin Jacobsen stated that a decision will be made by the end of the year, but that there is no date set yet as to when that date will be.
After dithering over what to do, and how to fund these projects, for far too long, at least now there has been some movement in the process, albeit small. Now the governor needs to get off the dime, figure out whether these two projects and the required funding are feasible, and get this to the state legislature as soon as possible.
Both structures were damaged in the Nisqually earthquake in 2001, and it is now late 2006, and both structures are potential disasters in the making if something isn't done before the next earthquake strikes the region - and this isn't a case of IF another earthquake happens, but WHEN.
The ball is now in your court, Chris. Make the right decision, and soon! (Oh, and you may want to make a call to Port of Seattle Commissioner Hara, too, and tell him to get off the dime.)
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