Phillips praises viaduct decision, urges access to the tunnel for residents of northwest Seattle

January 13, 2009

Summary

Replacement needed for on-ramps that now serve Ballard, Interbay and Magnolia

Story

“A courageous choice, now and for the future,” is what King County Councilmember Larry Phillips is calling today’s decision by Governor Gregoire to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a bored bypass tunnel, surface, and transit improvements.

In a letter to the Governor, Phillips also asked for further study of opportunities to improve access to the tunnel for the Ballard, Interbay, and Magnolia communities.

“The bored tunnel is a great solution that keeps our region moving while making Seattle’s urban neighborhoods better places to live and do business, opening up the waterfront for people to enjoy, and increasing transit options,” said Phillips, who represents Ballard, Magnolia, Queen Anne, and Downtown. “This decision will have powerful transformative effects on the quality of life in our region for decades to come.”

While praising the Governor for her thoughtful and responsible decision on behalf of Washington citizens, Phillips asked that the viaduct project team continue exploring access to the bypass tunnel and improving through-traffic travel for northwest Seattle communities.

About one-third of the vehicles that use the viaduct today get on or off at Elliott or Western Avenues, which under the current proposal would no longer directly connect to the bypass tunnel. The Elliott and Western ramps serve the industrial areas of Interbay and Ballard as well as residents in Magnolia and Ballard who use the viaduct to travel to destinations south of Seattle.

“As the design and engineering of the bypass tunnel advances, it’s critical that we look for opportunities to improve upon the plan in front of us by enhancing through-traffic travel options for the dense urban neighborhoods and important industrial areas in northwest Seattle,” said Phillips. “These neighborhoods must share in the increased mobility options that the bored tunnel, surface, and transit enhancements will bring.”


Seattle Times OpEd by Councilmember Phillips:
"Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement needs a bored tunnel to serve capacity and neighborhoods"