The exhausting, long-running debate over the future of the Viaduct is now, finally, coming to an end. The state Senate voted last week to move forward with the open-waterfront approach negotiated among city, county and state leaders. The state House is next in line and-hopefully-we can get the package to the governor's desk for her signature.
Despite the rancor and battles of the past, it's important that we now come together to embrace a thoughtful, measured way forward that is in the best interest of a world-class waterfront and our 21st century city.
I'm a proponent of the tunnel, surface and transit option and plan to vote for the measure in the House. Parts of the agreement may not make it, but the core ingredients are strong. Although I'm encouraged by the Legislature's action thus far, I remain unconvinced about some key pieces of the proposal and will push hard for some vital changes as we move the bill through the House.
I remain profoundly disappointed that the City of Seattle has only modest technical plans to improve the arterials in Queen Anne, Fremont, Magnolia and Ballard serving the tunnel in a way that truly prepares them for the increased traffic flow to the northern tunnel entrance.
Current plans show that 46th Avenue North, 39th Avenue North, Nickerson, Dexter and Mercer streets would serve as central access points to the tunnel in our area, yet Seattle officials have put forth only timid plans to ensure smooth traffic flow. This is unacceptable and remains a serious weak link.
For example, the city is now making Nickerson a one-lane street each way to accommodate bicycles just as it is encouraging an inflow of commercial and commuter vehicle traffic from Magnolia and Ballard to utilize the key arterial. I'm no traffic engineer but those two concepts seem counterintuitive at best to me. The community needs answers on that one.
In my view, Mayor Nickels is lagging in coming to the table on his end of the deal relative to improving northwest neighborhood movement to the new tunnel. Based on current plans, I remain unconvinced that access and traffic flow to the tunnel would be maintained at sufficient levels, which is why I'm working together with Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson to push the city's transportation officials to put forth much more detailed plans that strengthen and smooth access from northwest Seattle to the tunnel.
On a financial level, I'm working with House transportation leaders to insert new language into the legislation that would create a central project manager so the city, county and state have one central entity with the accountability to ensure the project is delivered on time and on budget.
If there is any lesson from Boston's infamous "Big Dig" it is that we cannot afford to entrust the project's management to a faceless bureaucracy. We need the accountability and authority that comes with designating a single, go-to project manager, otherwise the city, county and state bureaucracies will hide from responsibility with every glitch.
Although the process to replace the Viaduct has been and will continue to be complex, expensive and time-consuming, I'm confident that we're heading in the right direction with the current strategy.
It's not perfect, which is why I'm fighting for better access and a plan for more serious financial accountability, but we're nearly there on building consensus around a solid vision and plan. This is an historic project for Seattle. It won't be easy or comfortable, but it is the right path for the world-class city we can be for generations to come.
In the coming weeks I will have an opportunity to vote on this proposal in the state House. Please use this opportunity to reach out to me directly and let me know your thoughts, concerns, interests and perspective. I can be reached at: carlyle.reuven@leg.wa.gov.
- Reuven Carlyle
State Rep. 36th Leg. Dist.[[In-content Ad]]
