Seattle viaduct options going to polls

Sat., Jan. 20, 2007

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

SEATTLE – Seattle voters will have their say in March on whether to replace the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct with an elevated highway or a four-lane tunnel.

The Seattle City Council voted 6-3 Friday afternoon to put the two alternatives on an advisory ballot March 13.

State leaders had threatened to move forward with an elevated replacement for the earthquake-damaged highway, or else shift money to a separate project – replacing the Evergreen Point floating bridge across Lake Washington.

Wording of the ballot measure has not been finalized, but would include details that the four-lane tunnel – the choice of Mayor Greg Nickels – would cost $3.41 billion. The measure asking voters if they support a new elevated structure would list its cost at $2.8 billion – with most of the money already secured.

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