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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Nickels praises Senate transportation funding bill
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4/4/2005 11:00:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
Office of the Mayor (206) 684-4000
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Mayor Nickels praises Senate transportation funding bill
Senate bill gives $2 billion to replace Alaskan Way Viaduct
Seattle —Mayor Greg Nickels praised the Senate Transportation Committee for including $2 billion for the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct / State Route 99, as well as $1.2 billion to replace the SR-520 floating bridge in their proposed transportation budget and project list released today. The mayor noted that recent tests by the Washington State Department of Transportation show that the aging viaduct structure has moved for the fourth time since the Nisqually earthquake in 2001.
“The viaduct is a critical part of the state’s transportation system, as well as a major public safety concern,” Nickels said. “Under the leadership of Chair Haugen, Sen. Swecker, Sen. Jacobsen, and Sen. Poulsen, the Senate Transportation Committee has done a tremendous job of recognizing how urgently we need to replace this decrepit structure and has given us the means to move further ahead on the project.”
The Mayor was also pleased to see substantial funding for the SR-520 bridge, noting that it is also a significant risk that needs to be addressed. “I am very supportive of the Committee’s focus on the safety projects that are contained in this package.” Mayor Nickels said. “These projects are critical to our transportation system and failure to replace them would result in gridlock that would hurt businesses big and small throughout the state.”
Mayor Nickels believes the legislature must act this year to allow the replacement efforts to begin as soon as possible. The Mayor supports quick action by the full Senate to pass this proposal and move the discussion to the House of Representatives, where Chair Ed Murray and Seattle legislative delegation have been strong advocates of both the Alaskan Way Viaduct and SR-520 replacement projects.
The viaduct plays a major role in sustaining our region’s economy and maintaining our ability to travel through the Seattle region. One quarter of all north-south traffic through Seattle (103,000 vehicles) use the viaduct every day. Extreme congestion on I-5 and throughout the region following the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake closures made it clear this is a critical route that needs replacing.
“The viaduct and the seawall are at risk of failure from earthquakes, age and deterioration,” said Nickels. “It is crucial for the legislature to act now because the viaduct continues to move and risk continues to grow.”
Last December, City, state and federal transportation officials announced the preferred alternative for replacing the viaduct with a “cut-and-cover” tunnel. The tunnel would re-connect the city with the waterfront and create new pedestrian-friendly open space in downtown while maintaining the traffic capacity of State Route 99. Federal and regional dollars will cover the cost difference between a simple replacement and the construction of the tunnel, which is expected to begin in 2009.
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Office of the Mayor
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