Phillips: State falls short on transit portion of Viaduct replacement plan

April 27, 2009

Summary

Calls on state to identify funding for transit necessary to mitigate construction and reduced road capacity

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips, who represents communities that rely on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, today praised the state Legislature for finalizing plans to replace the viaduct with a 4-lane bypass tunnel, but questioned how the smaller replacement tunnel will function without a funding source for increased transit service that would mitigate congestion during viaduct construction and the loss of two vehicle lanes along the Alaskan Way corridor.

“Viaduct stakeholders endorsed a three-part approach to replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct—one that combined surface street improvements, increased transit, and a smaller four-lane bypass tunnel,” said Phillips. “I applaud the Legislature for bringing an end to this impasse by selecting a replacement option that the majority of stakeholders can support, but they fell short on all that is necessary to provide a truly comprehensive and effective viaduct replacement. Without a funding source for increased transit, the promise that a 4-lane bored tunnel can handle our region’s future travel needs is a hollow promise. I will continue to fight for the increased transit necessary to make the bored tunnel work.”

King County requested a funding source to fill Metro’s $100 million funding shortfall, expand transit service throughout King County, and provide the transit service necessary to mitigate viaduct construction and the loss of two vehicles lanes along the Alaskan Way Viaduct corridor. Legislators refused to support King County’s request.

With Metro facing a $100 million deficit in 2010, there is no funding available to increase transit service in the State Route 99 corridor unless the Legislature grants King County additional revenue authority.

“We can celebrate the fact that we’ve gotten this far in for the replacement viaduct , but we can’t truly be satisfied until the transit portion is funded,” said Phillips. “Otherwise, we as a region are dooming ourselves to gridlock.”