|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
March 13, 2007 Special Election
Seattle voters will see two measures on the ballot in a Special Election to be held Tuesday, March 13, 2007. Both are Advisory Measures concerning the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
|
Browse the Voters' Guide → (Click links on right) |
This will be an all-mail election. Questions about this...
Click "Proposition 1" or "Proposition 2" on the right to browse through the Voters' Guide.
Adobe Acrobat Versions of the Voters' Pamphlet are also available:
Voters' Pamphlet (in English - 386kb)
Folleto del Votante (In Spanish - 361kb)
(In Chinese - 2,907kb).
Voter Registration, Polling Places & Absentee Ballots
King County Records & Elections administers the voting process for Seattle City Offices and City Ballot Issues. All inquiries regarding the following subjects should be directed to them:
Links are here...
King County Records and Elections
Another source of information on this subject is the Washington Secretary of State, they can be found at...
The Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission is responsible for administering Campaign Finance regulations and the Voters' Pamphlet for Seattle campaigns, not the actual voting process.
All-Mail Elections
The City Council Resolutions placing these two measures on the ballot specified that the election shall be an "all-mail" election.
If you have questions about Voting Procedures in an all-mail election please contact King County Records and Elections.
If you have questions about the policy decision to have an all-mail election please contact the City Council at 684-8888.
Can I vote on both measures on the ballot?
Yes.
Your ballot states: "Unless specifically allowed by law, more than one vote for an office or ballot measure will be an overvote and no votes for that office or ballot measure will be counted."
There are two separate "ballot measures" on the ballot, you can vote once on each:
ADVISORY MEASURE NO. 1
SURFACE-TUNNEL HYBRID ALTERNATIVE
You have the option to fill in Either the Yes Or No bubble.
and
ADVISORY MEASURE NO. 2
ELEVATED STRUCTURE ALTERNATIVE
You have the option to fill in Either the Yes Or No bubble here as well.
As long as you vote just once on Advisory Measure No. 1 and just once in Advisory Measure No. 2, your vote will not be considered an overvote.
Ballot Title
City of Seattle
Advisory Measure No. 1
Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative
Seattle Advisory Ballot Measure Number 1 concerns replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a Surface-Tunnel Hybrid Alternative. This measure is advisory only. If you vote yes, you are stating that you prefer that the Alaskan Way Viaduct be replaced with a four-lane tunnel with wide shoulders that could be used for peak-period travel, in addition to surface-street and transit improvements. The estimated cost is $3,410,000,000, to be potentially funded with $2,800,000,000 in state and federal funds, $500,000,000 in city utility funds for utility relocation made necessary by the project and $250,000,000 from a localized tax on specially benefited landowners. The Governor has said state and federal funds might not be available above $2,800,000,000.
Proposition 1 - Explanatory Statement
The effect of the advisory measure if approved:
This is an advisory measure and by itself would change no laws. Instead, the voters would advise the Governor, the State Legislature, the Mayor and City Council whether they prefer to replace the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel with four general purpose lanes, with shoulders to be used as lanes during peak period travel (the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative).
The Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative is a new alternative proposed by the City of Seattle in January 2007. It is not described in the Governor’s December 2006 Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement report. It is based on work done by the Alaskan Way Viaduct Project Team, which includes the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the City of Seattle and private consultants. This Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative differs from the Tunnel Alternative described in the Governor’s December 2006 report. The Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative is four lanes (two lanes in each direction) with wide shoulders to be used as lanes during peak travel periods, while the Tunnel Alternative proposed six lanes with shoulders not to be used for travel. In addition, the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative connects directly to the existing Battery Street Tunnel, while the Tunnel Alternative was deeper and would have required that the western end of the Battery Street Tunnel be reconfigured. The Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative would, among other things, permanently configure Third Avenue as a transit priority route, and provide funding for additional bus service hours.
As of January 25, 2007, the Project Team has preliminarily estimated that the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative would cost approximately $3.4 billion, based on the current level of design. The State’s Expert Review Panel has stated that it is preferable to take a project to a further level of design before settling on a cost for budget purposes. This preliminary estimate has not yet been validated by WSDOT's process or by the State's Expert Review Panel.
The state and federal governments have currently identified $2.4 billion in funding for replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and the Governor has asked the legislature to appropriate another $371 million for the project.
The Governor has said that the citizens of Seattle will have to bear the additional cost of a tunnel, including any cost overruns. Assuming that the $2.8 billion in state and federal funding is available for the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative, the City plans to bridge the difference between the state and federal funding and the estimated cost of the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid Alternative as follows:
The information in this explanatory statement is based on information available to the City Attorney on January 25, 2007. The information may change prior to the election.
Statement For Advisory Measure No. 1
The Alaskan Way Viaduct is dangerous and unattractive. It’s a big wall between Seattle and the Sound, and it drives visitors away from our waterfront and residents away from downtown.
Replacing the viaduct with a tunnel is a huge project, and the past several years have been spent studying different designs. In order to maintain the capacity of State Highway 99—more than 100,000 cars and trucks daily— Seattle has proposed building a “cut and cover” tunnel and enhancing transit options.
The good news is that we now have an affordable tunnel option that reduces cost and risk while improving public transit, reducing noise and pollution, and reclaiming the waterfront for people. The Surface/Tunnel Hybrid solution is the best solution for a number of reasons:
Safety: Tunnels are safer in an earthquake than an elevated highway.
Reduced cost and risk: The Surface/Tunnel Hybrid is more than a billion dollars cheaper than other tunnel designs, involves less risk and the financing for the project has been identified.
More transit options: The Surface/Tunnel Hybrid combines the best elements of the tunnel and surface streets options - a tunnel that maintains existing traffic capacity with substantial improvements to transit service and surface streets that will benefit all residents, not just those who use Highway 99.
Maintains essential capacity while encouraging better land use: With four lanes for off-peak hours and six lanes for peak hours, the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid preserves the north-south thoroughfare and opens up the waterfront.
Protects our environment: The Surface/Tunnel Hybrid will reduce noise, air and water pollution through investments in more transit and by removing the elevated highway that currently scars our waterfront.
Economic benefits: Studies have shown that opening up our waterfront and reconnecting it to downtown will pay off in jobs, new businesses, tourism and tax revenues that far exceed the cost in the long run.
“Cut and Cover”: The tunnel is not a mined tunnel, but a “cut-and-cover” - similar to the I-90 Mercer Island Lid - making it cheaper, faster, and safer to build.
This solution meets our most important needs: it connects us to the waterfront and preserves the traffic capacity at a good price.
We can afford the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid and it works. Please join former Governor Dan Evans, the Downtown Seattle Association and numerous other environmental, business, labor and civic organizations and voters across Seattle in voting YES on Advisory Ballot Measure One
Statement Prepared By:
Gary Locke, former Governor
Charley Royer, former Mayor
Mary McCumber, President, Futurewise
Friends for a Better Waterfront
Website: www.tunnelyes.com
Email: info@tunnelyes.com
Phone: 206-601-0437
PO Box 9100
Seattle, WA 98019
Rebuttal to Statement For Advisory Measure No. 1
Vote No on Measure 1 Tunnel
Big Dig=Big Cost:
Cost estimates for the new tunnel have not been verified.
State Transportation Department: “It could be as low as $3.4 Billion, but it will likely be higher.”
Governor’s Expert Review Panel: “average cost overrun for tunnel megaprojects is more than one-third of original estimate.”
State Transportation Department: “It would take three to four months for a quality analysis of the plan.”
Tunnel Cost
Seattle residents will be required to pay the extra costs for the tunnel.
Safety
A State transportation engineer stated that the tunnel could be partially flooded in the event of a tsunami resulting from an earthquake on the Seattle Fault. Cars and trucks would be trapped in flooded tunnel.
No Transit Funding
Do not be misled: no new transit funding in tunnel proposal.
Endorsed by: Representatives Mary Lou Dickerson 36th, Eileen Cody 34th Districts
Statement Prepared By:
Nick Licata, Seattle City Councilmember
Phil Talmadge, former State Senator for the 34th District
State Representative Helen Sommers, 36th District
No Tunnel Alliance
1900 W. Nickerson St.
Suite 116-195
Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: 206-235-6464
www.notunnelalliance.com
email: info@notunnelalliance.com
Statement Against Advisory Measure No. 1
Vote No on Measure 1 — Big Dig=Big Costs, Big Delays, Big Risks
Mayor Nickels last minute attempt to save his tunnel project is too risky and costs us too much.
Big Costs
It will cost Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utility Rate Payers half-a-billion dollars ($500,000,000) to build the Mayor’s proposed downtown tunnel.
Property owners from Denny Way to Spokane Street will have to pay $250,000,000 in additional taxes to pay for the Mayor’s un-tested tunnel. In addition to the nearly billion dollars in extra costs, Seattle residents and taxpayers are on the hook for any cost overruns for a below sea level tunnel plan they can’t even see and hasn’t been fully examined.
Big Risks
The costs for Boston’s Big Dig rose from $4 billion to $14 billion. Since The Washington State Department of Transportation has only just begun researching the Mayor’s newer tunnel, no one knows how much it will cost.
“The city’s assumptions about construction time, safety issues, utility relocation costs and other issues are overly optimistic.”—Dave Dye, Urban Corridors administrator, Washington State Department of Transportation 1/25/07, on the new tunnel plan.
Big Delays
• The ‘last ditch’ tunnel is years behind the Elevated structure in planning for design. Measure 1 means years more of delay while 110,000 people drive on an unsafe highway every day
• Washington State engineers say that the tunnel will entirely close down the viaduct and the waterfront road for 3 years, damaging our maritime economy that employs 37,000 people
• A new tunnel will have 33% fewer lanes, meaning more traffic jams “Voters need to pay close attention because some fancy footwork is going on, beginning with the name of the tunnel option, the Surface/Hybrid Tunnel.”— Seattle Times 1/24/07
Mayor Nickels’ proposed tunnel is not a transportation solution, it is a huge downtown land development scheme. Developers will build new condos offering hundreds of new Olympic view condos while tunnel users will be denied access ramps to downtown. The bill for the Mayor’s ill-conceived plan will be paid by utility ratepayers and Seattle residents, who will be stuck in more downtown traffic and lose their view of the Sound.
Endorsed by Seattle City Councilmember David Della
Statement Prepared By:
Nick Licata, Seattle City Councilmember
Phil Talmadge, former State Senator for the 34th District
State Representative Helen Sommers, 36th District
No Tunnel Alliance
1900 W. Nickerson St.
Suite 116-195
Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: 206-235-6464
www.notunnelalliance.com
email: info@notunnelalliance.com
Rebuttal to Statement Against Advisory Measure No. 1
Don’t believe the Big Lies. Here are the facts:
Boston’s “Big Dig” is over 13 times longer than the proposed Surface/Tunnel Hybrid. If Boston’s tunnel started in the same place—near the stadiums —it would stretch to Snohomish County.
Let’s keep the focus on Seattle’s waterfront. Seattle’s cut-and-cover tunnel is less than a mile long, will maintain current traffic capacity, and includes improved surface streets and transit alternatives.
The tunnel will be faster to build than another elevated structure. A new double-decker highway will take 2-5 years longer.
The Surface/Tunnel Hybrid is more than $1 billion cheaper and less risky than other tunnel options.
The Surface/Tunnel Hybrid will significantly reduce noise, air and water pollution on our waterfront.
This decision will last a generation. Investing in our waterfront will benefit all of Seattle.
Our waterfront should be for people, not cars.
Vote YES on Measure 1.
Statement Prepared By:
Gary Locke, former Governor
Charley Royer, former Mayor
Mary McCumber, President, Futurewise
Friends for a Better Waterfront
Website: www.tunnelyes.com
Email: info@tunnelyes.com
Phone: 206-601-0437
PO Box 9100
Seattle, WA 98019
Seattle City Council Resolution Number: 30957
A RESOLUTION regarding replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall ; requesting that the King County Director of Records and Elections call a special municipal election on March 13, 2007 to submit to the qualified electors of the City of Seattle an advisory measure concerning voter preference regarding a tunnel alternative for replacing the present Viaduct; requesting the Seattle City Attorney to prepare a ballot title for such a measure and in doing so to consider the ballot title proposed in this resolution; authorizing and directing the Seattle City Clerk to take those actions necessary to place this advisory measure before Seattle City voters, including certification to the King County Director of Records and Elections of the text of an advisory ballot measure to be prepared by the City Attorney and a request to hold the election as an all mail election; and requesting the Executive Director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission to take those actions necessary to place information concerning this advisory measure in the March 2007 voters' pamphlet.
WHEREAS, the Alaskan Way Viaduct ("the Viaduct") is a deteriorating structure that was significantly damaged in the Nisqually Earthquake of 2001; and
WHEREAS, the Viaduct is seismically at risk and engineers estimate it has a 1 in 20 chance of failure in an earthquake in the next ten years; and
WHEREAS, the nearby Seawall is also a deteriorating structure whose support timbers continue to be damaged by "gribbles" and other underwater marine borers; and
WHEREAS, because the Seawall and the Viaduct are in close proximity, a failure of either is likely to cause failure of the other; and
WHEREAS, the Alaskan Way corridor carries more than 100,000 vehicle trips a day, or one quarter of the vehicle trips moving through the downtown Seattle area on highways with limited access; and
WHEREAS, continued deterioration of the Viaduct and Seawall represents a threat to our region's public safety and economy, and failure of either would harm public safety and the economy; and
WHEREAS, the decisions concerning replacement of the Viaduct and Seawall will affect the City for the next 100 years and will profoundly shape the region's future transportation network; and
WHEREAS, Seattle's waterfront is a unique asset of our community and replacement of the Viaduct and Seawall must ensure that the Waterfront is preserved and connected to the rest of our city; and
WHEREAS, for the continued mobility of people and freight, the replacement of the Viaduct must preserve capacity for our region's transportation network; and
WHEREAS, the replacement of the Viaduct must also preserve vital north-south connections for residents of West Seattle, Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia and other communities; and
WHEREAS, since the 2001 earthquake, the City of Seattle together with the Washington State Department of Transportation ("WSDOT") and the Federal Highway Administration (collectively "the partner agencies") have completed substantial engineering, planning, and environmental analysis, including preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement ("DEIS") comparing five alternatives for replacement of the Viaduct and Seawall and a Supplemental DEIS further analyzing the impacts of an elevated structure ("Elevated Structure Alternative") or a tunnel ("Tunnel Alternative") including impacts of closing the corridor during construction; and
WHEREAS, the public has been actively involved in the planning and analyses undertaken by the partner agencies, including participation in more than 200 public meetings, briefings and hearings; preparation and submittal of thousands of written and oral comments; participation in the City's Central Waterfront Planning process and a public involvement process led by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project Findings and Conclusions called upon the City of Seattle to hold an advisory ballot in which the voters of Seattle will be asked to decide between a tunnel alternative and an elevated structure alternative; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle City Council and Mayor Nickels, via Ordinance 122246, stated that the tunnel alternative is the City's preferred alternative for replacement of the present Viaduct; and
WHEREAS, both the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would provide equivalent safety for the traveling public from earthquake damage, since either alternative would be built to withstand a 2,500 year earthquake without collapse; and
WHEREAS, the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would have equal capacity to carry traffic, the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would have the same impacts on I-5 and other transportation routes in the area; and
WHEREAS, the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would provide different but comparable access to downtown Seattle; and
WHEREAS, the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would replace the deteriorating seawall with a long-term solution that would serve the region for many generations; and
WHEREAS, in the Governor's Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project Findings and Conclusions, the Governor stated her personal preference for a tunnel along the waterfront because of its value to the community and to the environment; and
WHEREAS, the Governor concluded that a tunnel alternative would provide greater opportunities for environmental enhancements and significantly reducing traffic noise levels along the central waterfront; and
WHEREAS, the Governor concluded that a tunnel alternative provides the greater opportunity for improving the downtown area of the City of Seattle as a place to live, work, and enjoy the waterfront by providing additional space for public open space, street amenities, landscaping, sidewalks, bike trails and an expanded streetcar system, and by opening up views of Elliott Bay; and
WHEREAS, the Governor concluded that a tunnel alternative would improve the central waterfront area as a destination for existing and new businesses, residents, users, and visitors; and
WHEREAS, the Governor concluded that a tunnel alternative provides the greater opportunity for economic benefits to property owners and businesses in the areas near the waterfront, with ancillary tax benefits for the City of Seattle, and
WHEREAS, a Surface/Tunnel Hybrid alternative ("Surface/Tunnel Hybrid") is a smaller cut-and-cover, side by side tunnel which has four general purpose lanes and wide shoulders that will be used for travel during peak hours and includes major improvements to downtown streets and transit, while maintaining access for West Seattle and Ballard residents; and
WHEREAS, the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid, which is less costly than the current Tunnel Alternative, addresses the issue of affordability; and
WHEREAS, the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid saves nearly $1.2 billion over the Tunnel Alternative by scaling back the tunnel size while adding surface improvements; and
WHEREAS, using the same estimating technique that was used for other Viaduct replacement alternatives, the current estimated cost of a Surface/Tunnel Hybrid is $3.41 billion; and
WHEREAS, $2.415 billion is already secured for the replacement of the Viaduct ("the project"); and
WHEREAS, the Governor has requested an additional $371 million this Legislative session in order to reach her commitment that the State will provide $2.8 billion to the project; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has committed to expend up to $500 million for utility relocation necessitated by construction of a tunnel alternative; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle is committed to implementing a local improvement district (LID) in downtown Seattle of up to $250 million to contribute toward the project; and
WHEREAS, this provides a total of $3.536 billion to cover an estimated cost of $3.41 billion for the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid and for utility relocation necessitated by construction of a tunnel; and
WHEREAS, the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid will allow the same number of vehicle trips in the corridor, as compared to the current Viaduct in the year 2030; and
WHEREAS, the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid accomplishes this through a more efficient use of the current surface street by shifting 13,000 vehicles from SR99 to the surface street, Alaskan Way; and
WHEREAS, the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid includes major investments in transit service and other transportation mitigation, including enhanced bus service that is projected to serve an additional 21,000 bus riders during construction; and
WHEREAS, other transportation improvements will be made to improve bus movement in and out of downtown, increase the frequency of bus service, and better manage city streets to prioritize transit speed and reliability; and
WHEREAS, the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid will contribute to a new ramp to Fourth Avenue South from the Spokane Street Viaduct, featuring a transit priority lane, as part of the mitigation strategy for the West Seattle to downtown corridor during the construction and closure of the Viaduct; and
WHEREAS, the Surface/Tunnel Hybrid includes major investments in transit service, providing more than 100,000 new transit service hours per year, and leveraging Metro's new RapidRide service to West Seattle, Ballard and along the Aurora corridor, which investments are projected to serve an additional 21,000 bus riders; and
WHEREAS, the Expert Review Panel, in a letter dated January 16, 2007 stated that a hybrid tunnel design using a narrower tunnel and more transit and traffic improvements on the surface can save money for WSDOT and the City; and
WHEREAS, in order to keep faith with Governor Gregoire's Alaskan Way Viaduct Findings and Conclusions, in which Governor Gregoire stated that "no action" is not an option, the City of Seattle will place advisory measures before the voters on March 13, 2007 that include a tunnel alternative and an elevated structure alternative; and
WHEREAS, the results of the March 13, 2007 election will be used to inform city, state and federal government leaders about the wishes of Seattle residents regarding this critical link through their city;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The King County Director of Records and Elections, as ex officio supervisor of elections, is hereby requested to call a special municipal election on March 13, 2007, to be held by an all mail ballot, in order to submit to the qualified electors of the City of Seattle an advisory ballot measure concerning voter preference for a Surface/Hybrid Tunnel to replace the present Alaskan Way Viaduct. This ballot measure shall be in the form of a ballot title to be prepared by the Seattle City Attorney. The City requests of King County that the election be conducted entirely by mail.
Section 2. The City Attorney is requested to prepare a ballot title for this advisory measure.
Section 3. The City Clerk is authorized and directed to take any other actions necessary to place this advisory measure before the voters at the March 13, 2007 election, including but not limited to certifying to the King County Director of Records and Elections the text of a ballot measure prepared by the Seattle City Attorney.
Section 4. The Executive Director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission is requested to take those actions necessary to place information regarding this advisory ballot measure in the March 13, 2007 voters' pamphlet.
Section 5. The Seattle City Council hereby requests that the City Attorney consider the following ballot title for this measure:
Seattle Advisory Ballot Measure Number 1 concerns replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall. This measure is advisory only.
If you vote yes for the Surface/ Hybrid Tunnel, you are stating that you prefer that a Surface/Hybrid Tunnel be constructed to replace the present Alaskan Way Viaduct at a cost currently estimated at $3.41 billion.
If you vote no for the Surface/Hybrid Tunnel, you are stating that you do not prefer that a Surface/Hybrid Tunnel be constructed to replace the present Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Ballot Title
City of Seattle
Advisory Measure No. 2
Elevated Structure Alternative
Seattle Advisory Ballot Measure Number 2 concerns replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with an Elevated Structure Alternative. This measure is advisory only. If you vote yes, you are stating that you prefer that the Alaskan Way Viaduct be replaced with a six-lane elevated structure, increased to four lanes in each direction between South King Street and new ramps at Seneca and Columbia Streets. The estimated cost is $2,800,000,000 to be potentially funded with $2,800,000,000 in state and federal funds.
Proposition 2 - Explanatory Statement
The effect of the advisory measure if approved:
This is an advisory measure and by itself would change no laws. Instead, the voters would advise the Governor, the State Legislature, the Mayor and the City Council whether they prefer to replace the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct with a new elevated structure.
As described in the Governor’s December 2006 Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement report, the Elevated Structure Alternative would replace the existing viaduct with a double-level stacked aerial structure along the central waterfront. The new structure would have three lanes in each direction, with wider lanes and shoulders than the existing viaduct. Between S. King St. and the ramps at Columbia and Seneca Streets, the new structure would have eight lanes consisting of four lanes in each direction. The existing ramps at Columbia and Seneca Streets and Elliott and Western Avenues would be rebuilt. The new structure would be 11.5 to 35 feet wider than the existing viaduct from south of S. Main Street up to Union Street. From S. King Street to south of S. Main Street, the new structure would be 54 to 74 feet wider than the existing viaduct as the roadway changes from a side-by-side at-grade roadway in the south to a new double level elevated structure.
As of January 25, 2007, the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project Team, which includes the Washington State Department of Transportation, the City of Seattle, and private consultants, has preliminarily estimated that the Elevated Structure Alternative would cost approximately $2.8 billion, based on the current level of design. This preliminary estimate has been validated through WSDOT's process and by the State’s Expert Review Panel. The State’s Expert Review Panel has stated that it is preferable to take a project to a further level of design before settling on a cost for budget purposes. The state and federal governments have identified $2.4 billion in funding for replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and the Governor has asked the legislature to appropriate another $371 million for the project.
The information in this explanatory statement is based on information available to the City Attorney on January 25, 2007. The information may change prior to the election.
Statement For Advisory Measure No. 2
Vote Yes on Measure 2—We Can’t Wait Any Longer
It has been six years since the Nisqually earthquake damaged the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The Elevated Structure alternative is the only one that will allow us to get moving immediately to replace this dangerous highway in a fiscally responsible manner.
The Elevated Structure won’t leave Seattle taxpayers on the hook. The $2.8 billion cost for the project has been secured and the cost estimates have been thoroughly reviewed.
We won’t have to risk billions in Big Dig cost overruns that could mean millions in budget cuts to critical programs, utility rate hikes or property tax increases that will be borne entirely by Seattle residents, or wait to find more money.
“The finance plan for the Elevated Structure Alternative project is feasible and sufficient to complete the project.”—Governor Gregoire’s Path Forward to Action
The Elevated Structure will get Seattle moving. Seattle already has one of the nation’s worst traffic problems. The newly rebuilt Viaduct will have six-lanes—33% more than a four-lane tunnel—and be able to keep people, commuters and goods moving and protect our waterfront economy that employs 37,000 people.
With a more modern design, we’ll have a safer drive with fewer traffic jams and maintain our world class view of the Sound.
“This editorial page supports the (Elevated) rebuild as a practical and affordable solution to a pressing transportation problem.”—Seattle Times, January 21, 2007
The Elevated Structure can be built now. While plans for a four-lane tunnel have barely begun, The Washington State Department of Transportation has been working on the Elevated design for four years. We can’t afford to risk the safety any longer of the 110,000 people who drive on the Viaduct each day.
That’s why the Washington State House of Representatives leadership has indicated support for the Elevated replacement.
“With money in hand, the state should get going and rebuild the viaduct before an earthquake knocks it down.”—Seattle PI Columnist Joel Connelly
Vote Yes On Measure 2 To Get Seattle Moving
Endorsed by Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata
Statement Prepared By:
David Della, Seattle City Councilmember
Phil Talmadge, Former State Senator for the 34th District
Helen Sommers, State Representative 36th District
Citizens for an Elevated Solution, affiliated with the No Tunnel Alliance
1900 W. Nickerson St.
Ste. 116-195
Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: 206-235-6464
Website: www.notunnelalliance.com
email: info@notunnelalliance.com
Rebuttal to Statement For Advisory Measure No. 2
Seattle has some of the most beautiful waterfront property in the world. Without the viaduct, we could have a clean, open space that everyone could enjoy, instead of just the people driving past. Why would we build another freeway there?
It also wouldn’t just be another viaduct. It would be bigger and noisier and you wouldn’t get the views you enjoy now.
The Washington State Department of Transportation says this about a new elevated structure:
“(It) would be between 11.5 and 35 feel wider than the existing viaduct (and) three feet higher than the existing viaduct. … Like the existing structure, the new structure would continue to obstruct views; cast shade over an extensive area; limit future development of parks, trails, and sidewalks; generate overhead traffic noise...” (2006 Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement)
Let’s not make an old mistake worse. Vote NO on Advisory Ballot Measure 2.
Statement Prepared By:
Ron Sims, King County Executive
Jessyn Farrell, Executive Director, Transportation Choices Coalition
Kathy Fletcher, Executive Director, People for Puget Sound
Not Another Elevated Viaduct
Website: www.noelevated.org
Email: info@noelevated.org
Phone: 206 601-0641
PO Box 9100
Seattle, WA 98109
Statement Against Advisory Measure No. 2
Say NO to Another Elevated Viaduct.
For more than 50 years, the Alaskan Way Viaduct has put a wall between the city and the waterfront.
That used to be a good thing. At the time, the waterfront was a dirty and dangerous place, and it made sense for Seattleites to drive above it. Since the 1950s, however, most of the shipping terminals have moved south and opened up space and views that had never been appreciated before. Parks and museums are growing where there was once only industrial activity, and people come from all over the world to enjoy our city, the Sound, and the mountains.
And right in the heart of that experience is a noisy, dirty, crumbling freeway. Taking the viaduct off the waterfront and returning the City’s waterfront to public use is a great gift to future generations.
It will also help our economy and environment. Today Seattle’s waterfront businesses are shops, restaurants and tourism, and an inviting waterfront will help bring people and jobs to Seattle and surrounding areas. More downtown green space will also encourage residents to live downtown and reduce sprawl.
We’re not the first city to face this challenge. Port cities all over the globe, including San Francisco, Baltimore and Barcelona, are tearing down their elevated freeways, rediscovering their waterfronts and finding new sources of revenue and jobs.
There’s no hope of building a better viaduct. Because of earthquake and other safety requirements, a new elevated highway will be much bigger and much wider than the existing viaduct—at least fifty percent wider with shoulders and walls that will even take away the stunning view enjoyed by motorists. This huge new double-decker highway will permanently place even more of the downtown waterfront in shadow.
We know how urgent problems can force hasty solutions. There is no doubt that the Alaskan Way Viaduct must be torn down, and soon. But if we rebuild the elevated structure (which will be bigger, wider and noisier), we lose so much: priceless open space, the opportunity to improve the environment of Elliott Bay and Puget Sound, and the economic benefits of a world-class waterfront.
There are alternative ways to handle our transportation needs without building a bigger, noisier viaduct on our waterfront. For economic, environmental, and quality of life reasons, vote NO on Advisory Ballot Measure Number 2, say NO to another elevated viaduct.
Statement Prepared By:
Ron Sims, King County Executive
Jessyn Farrell, Executive Director, Transportation Choices Coalition
Kathy Fletcher, Executive Director, People for Puget Sound
Not Another Elevated Viaduct
Website: www.noelevated.org
Email: info@noelevated.org
Phone: 206-601-0641
PO Box 9100
Seattle, WA 98109
Rebuttal to Statement Against Advisory Measure No. 2
Yes on Measure 2 –The Safe Alternative to Keep Seattle Moving
State Pays Full Cost
An elevated replacement—including any cost overruns—will be paid for by the State of Washington. Seattle residents would be required to pay the extra cost for a tunnel, but not for the Elevated.
Mobility for Commuters
The Elevated Viaduct can be built immediately, serving 110,000 daily drivers. A six lane Viaduct maintains existing capacity, the four-lane tunnel reduces capacity.
Protecting our Jobs
Seattle has 37,000 family-wage jobs along its waterfront that depend on an Elevated Viaduct to move goods. “Yes” on Measure 2 supports freight mobility and protects these jobs.
Safe and Modern design
• Quieter due to advances in noise reduction technology and sound absorbing
materials.
• Lower guardrails protect our views.
Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans endorse Rebuilding Viaduct
Endorsed by: Representatives Mary Lou Dickerson 36th and Eileen Cody 34th Districts.
Statement Prepared By:
David Della, Seattle City Councilmember
Phil Talmadge, Former State Senator for the 34th District
Helen Sommers, State Representative 36th District
Citizens for an Elevated Solution, affiliated with the No Tunnel Alliance
1900 W. Nickerson St.
Ste. 116-195
Seattle, WA 98119
Phone: 206-235-6464
Website: www.notunnelalliance.com
email: info@notunnelalliance.com
Seattle City Council Resolution Number: 30958
A RESOLUTION regarding replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall; requesting that the King County Director of Records and Elections call a special municipal election on March 13, 2007 to submit to the qualified electors of the City of Seattle an advisory measure concerning voter preference for an elevated structure to replace the present Viaduct; requesting the Seattle City Attorney to prepare a ballot title for such a measure in doing so to consider the ballot title proposed in this resolution; authorizing and directing the Seattle City Clerk to take those actions necessary to place this advisory measure before Seattle City voters, including certification to the King County Director of Records and Elections of the text of an advisory ballot measure and a request to hold the election as an all mail election; and requesting the Executive Director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission to take those actions necessary to place information concerning this advisory measure in the March 2007 voters' pamphlet.
WHEREAS, the Alaskan Way Viaduct ("the Viaduct") is a deteriorating structure that was significantly damaged in the Nisqually Earthquake of 2001; and
WHEREAS, the Viaduct is seismically at risk and engineers estimate it has a 1 in 20 chance of failure in an earthquake in the next ten years; and
WHEREAS, the nearby Seawall is also a deteriorating structure whose support timbers continue to be damaged by "gribbles" and other underwater marine borers; and
WHEREAS, because the Seawall and the Viaduct are in close proximity, a failure of either is likely to cause failure of the other; and
WHEREAS, the Alaskan Way corridor carries more than 100,000 vehicle trips a day, or one quarter of the vehicle trips moving through the downtown Seattle area on highways with limited access; and
WHEREAS, continued deterioration of the Viaduct and Seawall represents a threat to our region's public safety and economy, and failure of either would harm public safety and the economy; and
WHEREAS, the decisions concerning replacement of the Viaduct and Seawall will affect the City for the next 100 years and will profoundly shape the region's future transportation network; and
WHEREAS, Seattle's waterfront is a unique asset of our community and replacement of the Viaduct and Seawall must ensure that the Waterfront is preserved and connected to the rest of our city; and
WHEREAS, for the continued mobility of people and freight, the replacement of the Viaduct must preserve capacity for our region's transportation network; and
WHEREAS, the replacement of the Viaduct must also preserve vital north-south connections for residents of West Seattle, Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia and other communities; and
WHEREAS, since the 2001 earthquake, the City of Seattle together with the Washington State Department of Transportation ("WSDOT") and the Federal Highway Administration (collectively "the partner agencies") have completed substantial engineering, planning, and environmental analysis, including preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement ("DEIS") comparing five alternatives for replacement of the Viaduct and Seawall and a Supplemental DEIS further analyzing the impacts of an elevated structure ("Elevated Structure Alternative") or a tunnel ("Tunnel Alternative") including impacts of closing the corridor during construction; and
WHEREAS, the public has been actively involved in the planning and analyses undertaken by the partner agencies, including participation in more than 200 public meetings, briefings and hearings; preparation and submittal of thousands of written and oral comments; participation in the City's Central Waterfront Planning process and a public involvement process led by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project Findings and Conclusions called upon the City of Seattle to hold an advisory ballot in which the voters of Seattle will be asked to decide between a Tunnel Alternative and an Elevated Structure Alternative; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle City Council and Mayor Nickels, via Ordinance 122246, stated that the Tunnel Alternative is the City's preferred alternative for replacement of the present Viaduct; and
WHEREAS, both the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would provide equivalent safety for the traveling public from earthquake damage, since either alternative would be built to withstand a 2,500 year earthquake without collapse; and
WHEREAS, the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would have equal capacity to carry traffic, the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would have the same impacts on I-5 and other transportation routes in the area; and
WHEREAS, the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would provide different but comparable access to downtown Seattle; and
WHEREAS, the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would replace the deteriorating seawall with a long-term solution that would serve the region for many generations; and
WHEREAS, in the Governor's Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project Findings and Conclusions, the Governor found that the Elevated Structure Alternative costs less than the Tunnel Alternative; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's Findings and Conclusions stated that the finance plan for the Elevated Structure Alternative as described in the draft environmental impact statement is feasible and sufficient to complete the Elevated Structure Alternative; and
WHEREAS, to date $2.415 billion of the likely cost of a Elevated Structure Alternative at $2.82 billion has been secured as funding for the Elevated Structure Alternative to replace the Viaduct; and
WHEREAS, both the Elevated Structure Alternative and the Tunnel Alternative would provide equivalent driving safety for the traveling public, since either alternative would add shoulders, increase lane widths, and improve on- and off-ramps in accordance with current design standards; and
WHEREAS, in the Governor's Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project Findings and Conclusions, the Governor found that the Elevated Structure Alternative costs less than the Tunnel Alternative; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has requested an additional $371 million this Legislative session in order to reach her commitment that the State will provide $2.8 billion for the replacement of the Viaduct; and
WHEREAS, the Elevated Structure Alternative would have three lanes in each direction, with wider lanes and shoulders than the current Viaduct; and
WHEREAS, the Elevated Structure Alternative would be ll.5 to 35 feet wider than the existing Viaduct from south of South Main Street to Union Street, and near South King Street to south of South Main Street, the Elevated Structure Alternative would be 54 to 74 feet wider than the existing Viaduct; and
WHEREAS, the Elevated Structure Alternative would increase shading due to a wider elevated structure; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has concluded that the Elevated Structure Alternative would allow commuters and other travelers on SR 99 to enjoy views of Elliot Bay; and
WHEREAS, in order to keep faith with Governor Gregoire's Alaskan Way Viaduct Findings and Conclusions, in which Governor Gregoire stated that "no action" is not an option, the City of Seattle will place advisory measures before the voters on March 13, 2007 that include a tunnel alternative and an Elevated Structure Alternative; and
WHEREAS, the results of the March 13, 2007 election will be used to inform city, state and federal government leaders about the wishes of Seattle residents regarding this critical link through their city;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The King County Director of Records and Elections, as ex officio supervisor of elections, is hereby requested to call a special municipal election on March 13, 2007, to be held by an all mail ballot, in order to submit to the qualified electors of the City of Seattle an advisory ballot measure concerning voter preference for an Elevated Structure Alternative to replace the present Alaskan Way Viaduct. This ballot measure shall be in the form of a ballot title to be prepared by the Seattle City Attorney. The City requests of King County that the election be conducted entirely by mail.
Section 2. The City Attorney is requested to prepare a ballot title for this advisory measure.
Section 3. The City Clerk is authorized and directed to take any other actions necessary to place this advisory measure before the voters at the March 13, 2007 election, including but not limited to certifying to the King County Director of Records and Elections the text of a ballot measure, in the form of the ballot title to be prepared by the City Attorney.
Section 4. The Executive Director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission is requested to take those actions necessary to place information regarding this advisory ballot measure in the March 13, 2007 voters' pamphlet.
Section 5. The Seattle City Council hereby requests that the City Attorney consider the following ballot title for this measure:
Seattle Advisory Ballot Measure Number 2 concerns replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall. This measure is advisory only.
If you vote yes for the Elevated Structure Alternative, you are stating that you prefer that Alaskan Way Viaduct be replaced with an elevated structure at a cost currently estimated at $2.82 billion.
If you vote no for the Elevated Structure Alternative, you are stating that you do not prefer that the Alaskan Way Viaduct be replaced with an elevated structure.