The governor has made it official: construction will begin on the $4.24 billion deep-bored tunnel in 2011, opening to drivers in 2015. And now the official reaction is coming in. “As representatives of the 36th Legislative District, we applaud this decisive action for how it will enhance the city and entire region,” said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Rep. Reuven Carlyle in a joint statement. “We recognize work remains to be done in ensuring ample funding and full access for all areas of Magnolia, Queen Anne and Ballard, including our essential maritime, manufacturing and industrial sectors.”
The access issue is the Western Ave. (above) and Elliott Ave. ramps, which serve about one-third of the total Viaduct traffic, connecting the Viaduct with Ballard. Both will be eliminated with the tunnel (the brown dotted line below). “The industry is getting squeezed out of Ballard,” said Dave Simpson, of Ballard Sheet Metal. “It’ll make moving trucks much more difficult.”
Meanwhile, a new streetcar will connect Pioneer Square with the Seattle Center, and the land under the Viaduct will be restored to a four-lane surface street. King County Councilmember Larry Phillips echoed his support for the tunnel as well as concerns about access to Ballard and the surrounding area. “These neighborhoods must share in the increased mobility options that the bored tunnel, surface, and transit enhancements will bring,” he said in a statement. “As the design and engineering of the bypass tunnel advances, it’s critical that we look for opportunities to improve upon the plan in front of us by enhancing through-traffic travel options.”
See also: Fact sheet on the tunnel (.pdf) | Video animation
Plus: Magnolia woman files suit against tunnel plan
Monday: My Ballard readers react to the decision
