SCAT'S Elizabeth Campbell announces her organization collected more than enough signatures to place the anti deep bore tunnel Initiative-101 on the ballot. But will the City allow the vote? We will update.
In light of the lawsuit of the anti-tunnel referendum brought by City Attorney Pete Holmes, the West Seattle Herald will offer updates as we learn the City's response to Initiative-101.
Press release from SCAT:
INITIATIVE 101 QUALIFIES FOR THE BALLOT
This afternoon King County Elections completed the validation process for Initiative 101, Stop the Tunnel. Elections notified the initiative’s proponent, Seattle Citizens Against the Tunnel, SCAT, that it had submitted 21,173 valid signatures, 544 more than the 20,629 necessary for the initiative to qualify for the ballot. A notice of sufficiency will be issued by King County Elections either (Tuesday) or Wednesday.
Commenting about successfully completing the signature drive and qualifying the initiative Elizabeth Campbell stated, “This is an exciting win for the citizens of Seattle, we’ve said all along they should have an opportunity to vote on this project, now they will have it.
“We all understand in today's economy that mega-projects - like the deep bored tunnel - are risky. Seattle Citizens Against the Tunnel wants the citizens and businesses of Seattle to thrive. We want the Port to bring in as much cargo as we can handle. And we all want to be able to efficiently and sustainably meet our transportation needs.
"We support a modified replacement plan for the Alaskan Way Viaduct that we have developed. It includes a phased replacement of the Viaduct. Phase One would involve temporarily retrofitting portions of the Viaduct to ensure its structural integrity, while a bridge structure, an elevated structure to replace it is designed, engineered, and then built during Phase Two. This would be followed by Phase Three, the construction and implementation of a scaled down, modified surface and transit program for along Alaskan Way in conjunction with the replacement of the seawall. This is an efficient. timely, cost effective and affordable solution.
We look forward to running a vigorous campaign based on facts and merits. We will speak frankly to the voters of Seattle."
