We were wondering when we'd hear from the PWC about the extra-extra-final-nope-not-another-word bored tunnel decision. The letter begins equably enough, with them talking about how the state, county, and city have divvied up responsibility, and what Seattle gets out of it:
The City is going ahead with Mercer and Spokane projects, the new waterfront street, other street improvements, the First Ave streetcar line, and investments to increase transit speed and reliability downtown. Funding sources have been identified, and the package looks viable--if Seattle citizens are willing to stomach some new taxes. The County gained the authority to levy a 1% MVET tax for transit, which can be spent to boost transit service countywide. Some of this money will be invested in increased service to West Seattle, Delridge, Ballard, and Aurora north.And then...they let slip a concern about the safety in keeping the viaduct open until the tunnel is ready. Plus, there's global warming leadership to keep in mind. Which is not to mention the reduced usefulness of a tunnel if people end up driving less. And of course, there are lots of questions about the tunnel's basic feasibility: "If it ends up not looking like the silver bullet people envision today, People's Waterfront Coalition will be happy to help figure out Plan B." Full text after the jump.
