Remember the Viaduct!

Seattlest (like much of Seattle) likes to ignore the Viaduct's continued existence. Sure, we're as happy as anyone to propound our right-thinking solution to a disinterested audience, but the weather's been very nice. We've had other things on our plate.

So a hearty thanks to the People's Waterfront Coalition for reminding us the sagging concrete monstrosity is still there. They're feeling chipper these days because, as they say in their email:

If the gas tax recall initiative (I-912) passes in November -- which many insiders already think is inevitable -- then the tunnel idea will likely be put to rest. That leaves the City and State with the responsibility to identify a solution we can actually afford. Many decision makers have said reclaiming downtown’s connection to Elliott Bay is a priority, and they will never let another aerial highway be built under their watch.

According to The Stranger, even Seattle's "If we build it, they will come" City Council and City Hall are aware that the proposed tunnel megaproject hasn't caught on in the heartland:

[E]ven Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis -- like his boss a staunch supporter of the tunnel option -- says he's willing to consider the PWC's proposal if the revenue-killing measure passes. "Absent coming up with a different funding source, I don't think there's anything we can do other than take it down," Ceis says. And Ceis notes that while computer models have predicted a gridlocked "doomsday" for the city, "congestion forces people to make different transportation choices."

Still, the I-912 recall affects a lot more than a single Mayor's Tunnel of Dreams, as the bloggers over at Evergreen Politics are quick to point out. Sound Politics, in contrast, is happy to welcome lefty anti-tunnelers to the I-912 fold, so it all becomes a bit of a muddle.

In fact, we'll stop right here. And just hope the next earthquake doesn't catch Tim Eyman crossing the Viaduct.