Election 2009: Initiative 99 Would Say No to Mayor's Deep-Bore Tunnel
If Initiative 99 makes the ballot and voters approve it this November, it will make it illegal for the City of Seattle to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep-bore tunnel, forcing lawmakers to go back and determine another plan to replace the aging bridge.
Elizabeth Campbell is the sponsor of the initiative, and as reported last week, a not-yet-official candidate for mayor. She said the tunnel is too expensive and would take too long to build. Campbell believes lawmakers have drawn out the process because they don't want to just build another bridge.
Elizabeth Campbell is the sponsor of the initiative, and as reported last week, a not-yet-official candidate for mayor. She said the tunnel is too expensive and would take too long to build. Campbell believes lawmakers have drawn out the process because they don't want to just build another bridge.
“Most of the time has been spent trying to find ways not to replace the viaduct as it is,” Campbell said.
While she understands that a lot of citizens are tired of listening to the debate over the viaduct, and just want something to be done already, it’s not yet over.
According to Campbell, “because there’s been more opposition than approval” for the tunnel, “the city is trying to set in a fatigue factor to get people to not oppose it.” By stressing how tired everyone is of talking about the viaduct, Campbell said, political leaders are trying to create a “sense of fatigue so people will just go along with it.”
Alex Fryer, spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels, said he is hopeful that the state legislature supports the tunnel plan and he believes the people of Seattle do as well.
“I think the citizens of Seattle are getting behind this and are ready to move forward,” Fryer said. “What we hear over and over is that we want to get something done. I think the citizens are tired of this debate.”
Campbell said she wants the public to have a say in how the viaduct is replaced and how much it costs. Fryer argued that the viaduct is dangerous to commuters and needs to be replaced. Most people don’t want another bridge, he said.
“I don’t know how serious this initiative is,” Fryer said. “They need 18,000 signatures by July 20. I have not personally seen any signature gatherers nor have I heard of anyone being asked to sign.”
This story’s been tagged:
Alaskan Way Viaduct
Mayor
Seattle Elections
While she understands that a lot of citizens are tired of listening to the debate over the viaduct, and just want something to be done already, it’s not yet over.
According to Campbell, “because there’s been more opposition than approval” for the tunnel, “the city is trying to set in a fatigue factor to get people to not oppose it.” By stressing how tired everyone is of talking about the viaduct, Campbell said, political leaders are trying to create a “sense of fatigue so people will just go along with it.”
Alex Fryer, spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels, said he is hopeful that the state legislature supports the tunnel plan and he believes the people of Seattle do as well.
“I think the citizens of Seattle are getting behind this and are ready to move forward,” Fryer said. “What we hear over and over is that we want to get something done. I think the citizens are tired of this debate.”
Campbell said she wants the public to have a say in how the viaduct is replaced and how much it costs. Fryer argued that the viaduct is dangerous to commuters and needs to be replaced. Most people don’t want another bridge, he said.
“I don’t know how serious this initiative is,” Fryer said. “They need 18,000 signatures by July 20. I have not personally seen any signature gatherers nor have I heard of anyone being asked to sign.”
