Tunnel Would Spark Seattle Waterfront Rebirth

Although more expensive, replacing a critical yet obsolete viaduct with a tunnel would leave the most room for development.

1 minute read

March 11, 2006, 7:00 AM PST

By David Gest

The "question [is] what to do to replace Highway 99, the earthquake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct, along its waterfront run through downtown."

"At least two options -- the tunnel or a replacement elevated, double-decker freeway -- would doubtless be on the ballot. Hopefully, the City Council will include a third option—leaving Highway 99 at grade in the form of a waterfront boulevard. That's what San Francisco did, to widespread acclaim, when a 1989 earthquake destroyed the similar Embarcadero Freeway.

Of the three options, oddly enough, I agree for once with the developer-driven agenda of Mayor Greg Nickels, who has pushed hard for the tunnel. Nickels wants one of the country's most vibrant and attractive downtowns to have the crowning jewel it could have but now lacks: a real waterfront. He's right."

FULL STORY: Build the Tunnel

Wednesday, March 15, 2006 in Seattle Weekly

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