City of Seattle Mike McGinn, Mayor

Transportation Package Jump Starts Viaduct Replacement
“We’re Halfway There,” says Nickels

Seattle - With nearly half the funding now in place for the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Mayor Greg Nickels today vowed to press forward with securing the rest of the money needed to replace the crumbling state highway that threatens lives and livelihoods across the region.

Nickels praised legislative leaders for the courage and vision they showed by approving $2 billion for the Viaduct in the state’s new transportation package, calling it a huge leap forward toward replacing the vulnerable structure.

“The Viaduct and seawall are crumbling before our eyes,” said Mayor Greg Nickels. “It is clear that our leaders in Olympia understand that if we don’t fix the problem, Mother Nature will.”

Nickels congratulated Rep. Ed Murray, Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen and Gov. Christine Gregoire for their commitment and leadership in getting the package passed. He praised the hard work and support of Seattle’s entire delegation in Olympia, as well as Republicans who voted for the package.

“The Viaduct is a transportation corridor that moves goods all over the state and all over the nation,” Nickels said. “There are a number of Republicans who recognized that thousands of jobs depend on safe, reliable roads, and I’m glad to see they acted on that.”

Senate and House representatives put aside differences and approved an $8 billion transportation spending package in the final days of session.

“I fought hard to make sure at least $2 billion to replace the Viaduct was included in the transportation package,” Representative Ed Murray said. “My top priority as the House Transportation Chair is addressing our state’s safety needs first and the Viaduct is clearly a risk to public safety.”

The Viaduct plays a critical role in the state’s economy and its collapse could devastate operations at the Port of Seattle, which moves more than $100 billion a year in international cargo through the region.

“The urgency of fixing the Viaduct was the impetus for the improvement package,” said Senator Mary Margaret Haugen. “If an earthquake happens we could have some major problems as far as the economy, and I would tell you it’s not a matter of if, it’s when.”

Today in Washington, D.C., the Senate started its debate on the reauthorization of the federal transportation bill. Senators Murray and Cantwell and Congressmen Larsen and McDermott are leading an effort to include a special designation for projects of national significance like the Viaduct. The initiative has already been included in the House approved reauthorization, H.R. 3, and would provide money in addition to formula funds already allocated to states.

Locally, the City is considering implementation of a Local Improvement District and will continue working with the region to define and pass a Regional Transportation Improvement District measure along with the federal government on a mega projects initiative.

“We are halfway there,” said Nickels. “The state has placed its support behind the project and we have strong indications from our regional partners that they will be contributing. Our federal partners are working hard on this issue and we’ll keep working right alongside them until the job is done.”

Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall construction staging and mitigation strategies are being developed this year, and the public will be invited to give input at workshops planned for June and December.

Get the mayor’s inside view on initiatives to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm.

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Office of the Mayor

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