Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck
Councilmember Jan Drago
COUNCIL PANEL PASSES MEASURE TO REPLACE THE VIADUCT
“Funding directed at improving mobility downtown and on the waterfront”
SEATTLE –Today, the Committee of the Whole, by a 9-0 vote, unanimously approved a measure directing $8.1 million to fund the development of a plan that replaces the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a range of strategic transportation projects that are “more sustainable, cost-effective, efficient, and reliable,” said Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck, Chair of the Urban Development and Planning Committee. “Our voters rejected an elevated structure and hybrid tunnel by wide margins, which means we, as leaders and as a community, need to re-think of the approach to this project”
Councilmember Jan Drago, Chair of the Transportation Committee, said, “This measure directs the partners involved in replacing the Viaduct to prioritize the movement of people and goods, not just vehicles. Why spend billions of dollars on a downtown transportation project without making our downtown transportation system more efficient?”
The measure, which is supported by King County Executive Ron Sims and Mayor Greg Nickels, guides funding around these basic policies:
- Regional transportation projects within the City should demonstrate consistency with the City’s land use, economic, and environmental goals, including improving access to and through downtown for all modes of travel (e.g., transit, freight, vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians).
- The development of any transportation solutions for accommodating trips made on the central waterfront portion of the Alaskan Way Viaduct shall prioritize the movement of people and goods.
Several community organizations spoke in favor of the measure at today’s public meeting, including representatives from People for Puget Sound, League of Women Voters, Transportation Choices Coalition, Seattle Great City Initiative, and Futurewise, a statewide organization focused on smart growth management.
This legislation will be up for a vote of the Full Council on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 2:00PM at City Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd Floor.
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