The Washington State Citizen's Legislature convenes today for it's 2009 season, and, at the risk of reinforcing Seattle centrism in media, let me throw in my solution for the viaduct replacement, arguing that the surface option is the best way to act now.
Governor Gregoire once took the leadership on this subject, but she has now bailed once again, taking along with her Ron Sims and Greg Nickels. Though she claims to have a solution proposed in January we've been hearing similar promises for quite some time - in reality the ball is in the Legislature's hands.
And on this subject they have proven quite able.
Being constructive they set a realistic funding level for replacement, which has been available since 2005. Yet Seattle continues not to act - this time the 'NIMBY's' are no less than the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, no doubt still waiting for a blank check where the cost is the benefit.
FWIW, there is something to be said for continuing to consider a modified Frank Chopp Viaduct type proposal or a similarly evolved Deep Bore tunnel as the Chamber is advocating.
But, absent responsibility and funding from downtown that is not going to happen.
The surface option is the responsible way to go forward. FWIW, I do believe that there will still be need for additional road development in Downtown, but, I could be wrong. In any case the benefits of the many projects included in the surface option will still be a benefit. Downtown interests argued strongly for the expansion of the Sound Transit light rail. Perhaps we should be looking for stimulus funding to accelerate this project and see how it impacts Seattle by connecting areas that actually need stimulus.
This decision is not a permanent one. Going forward with the Surface option is best choice for the future NOW. Though that future is not clear, a small incentive to increased transit useage among downtown Seattle patrons is a good thing.
I believe that additional multi-use highway corridor capacity will be needed in the future. For that reason both the Deep Bore tunnel and some sort of viaduct should be included in the Environmental Impact Statement for this project so as to insure future compatibility.
If, perhaps, the Downtown folks step up with the money and cost overrun responsibility then, it would be possible to reconsider. But they need to do so soon. I'm not holding my breath, and, FWIW, I think Gregoire's doing so is very revealing.
