We asked over 25 folks on Alki if they were for or against the deep bore tunnel under downtown Seattle. While those we feature here voiced their opinions for or against, not all 25 understood Referendum 1, to appear on the Aug. 16 primary ballot, nor said they would vote "yes" or "no" on the referendum. Voting "no" does not kill the tunnel plan, but addresses one aspect of the plan to be reassessed.

Many against the tunnel believe voting "no" serves as a symbolic voice that gives a thumbs down to the project. Many for the tunnel believe voting "yes" is important to move ahead with the project without delay. As is the case in Washington, D.C., and the debt crisis, most here who were asked about the tunnel expressed frustration with the process that has gotten us to this point with the project. Some felt their voices were never heard while others felt it has taken so long to find a solution and we need to "build something now". Some said they were not going to vote in the primaries at all.

Here is the official wording of Referendum 1:

The Seattle City Council passed Ordinance Number 123542 entering into agreements related to the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement. Section 6 of that ordinance has been referred to the voters for approval or rejection.

Section 6, if approved, would authorize the City Council to give notice to proceed, beyond preliminary design work, with three agreements concerning the State’s proposal to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep-bore tunnel. Section 6 states:

The City Council is authorized to decide whether to issue the notice referenced in Section 2.3 of each Agreement. That decision shall be made at an open public meeting held after issuance of the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

Partial explanation:

This ballot measure will neither approve nor reject the deep-bore tunnel as an alternative to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Rather… your vote will affect how the City Council will decide whether to proceed with current agreements on the deep-bore tunnel beyond preliminary design work, after environmental review is completed.

Pictured top left: Donna Simonsen, West Seattle resident, retired

"If we are going to leave the viaduct up, it needs to be earthquake proof, like Our Lady of Guadalupe School. It just had retro fitting. But if the tunnel is just for the sake of people living over there in million-dollar condos to get a better view, as far as I'm concerned that's a bunch of bologna. Putting this tunnel through upsets me because that's all landfill. How far down are they going to have to go to dig through to hit bedrock to put in a decent tunnel. Pioneer Square is all backfill. We know the history here."

Pictured top, center: Kevin Curry, 23 (wearing black cap)

"I want our tax dollars to be spent correctly. Also, I feel like the Alaska Way viaduct is Seattle. It's always been a big part of Seattle. I don't like the idea of a tunnel because you don't get to see the water or the city (inside it). There will be some parks, but also some service streets. Seattle seems to have this theme of putting in parks, then, after a year, they forget about them and don't keep them up. So I don't think parks will compliment our waterfront. I think we should rebuild the viaduct and have it be safe and functional. I feel a little helpless like they are going to do whatever they want anyway."

Sean Curry, Kevin's brother, 21

"I think the viaduct keeps the industrial feel the waterfront has. It fits with SODO, kind of rugged. This place started out as an industrial city. It's not going to have the same feeling anymore (with a tunnel). It will be like every other place. And the last thing we need is to lose all that parking under the viaduct. We should build a new, safe tunnel."

Pictured top right: Baylen Mills, Luna Park resident, drummer with EJ Grooves

"I do think the tunnel is a dumb design. They've got a seawall holding up the water. If an earthquake was to happen the wall could collapse and water could get underneath there and the apartments and whatever they build on top of it will collapse so you are setting yourself on a death trap, and a 'debt trap' because it's going to cost a lot of money."

Pictured bottom left: Skyler Gronholz, Ballard resident, church intern, works at Starbucks and does construction

"I know the drive on the viaduct awesome. It's one of my favorite drives in Seattle. But I feel like it can't survive. It's going to cost more money to fix it than build a tunnel. The parks are going to be beautiful. It will definitely create jobs."

Pictured bottom center: Dawndra Budd, Alki resident, Manager, Mission Latin Bar, Photographer

" I think a tunnel would just be kind of cool. I'm going to go 'tunnel'. It's going to be a pain in the a** for a really long time, but I think it will be worth it. I'm nervous when I drive on the viaduct. I don't want it to crumble and I don't want to fall off. The whole road is super sketchy."

Pictured bottom right: Ken Eidsmoe, Sammamish resident, Redi-Mix producer

"With the tunnel it will provide a lot of work for the local unions and I'm in one of those and it should help us empty out the hall, get us back to work. Times are a little slow right now. It would help the commute in and out of town, and to visit people."