State lawmakers Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Reuven Carlyle and Mary Lou Dickerson last week gave guests a first-hand look at options for the north portal of the state Route 99 bored tunnel.
The three joined residents and conserned citizens on a bus tour of potential access points at the north end of the tunnel scheduled to begin construction in 2011. The tour began at the Queen Anne/Magnolia Neighborhood Service Center at 160 Roy St. and ended at Elliott Avenue West and West Mercer Street. They highlighted how residents of Northwest Seattle neighborhoods would access the tunnel, which has been a sticking point with Queen Anners and Magnolians. The current entry point to the viaduct at Elliott Avenue West, used heavily by Magnolians, would be eliminated when the tunnel goes online.
So far, lawmakers have come up with two options for north portal tunnel access. The options are identical but for their connection points at Mercer Street. One connection cuts across through development to Broad Street. The other goes around it. Lawmakers will continue to fine tune the plan with public input.[[In-content Ad]]
