Seattle City Council President Nick Licata and Councilmember David Della released a plan last week, asking Seattle voters for their opinion on the best replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Licata is scheduling special meetings of the Full Council on Thursday, January 18 and Friday, January 19 in order to comply with Governor Christine Gregoire*s proposal that Seattleites vote before the scheduled end of the state Legislative session on April 22.

The only election date available before the Legislative session ends is on March 13.

Licata's ballot proposal calls for a vote on March 13 with a choice between an elevated structure or a tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

The measure further lists the likely cost of each option-$2.8 billion for an elevated structure and $4.6 billion for a tunnel-and the amount of funds, $2.4 billion, committed to the project.

Finally, it lists how Seattle residents might be taxed in order to finance a tunnel option. " We have to be honest with Seattle voters about the additional $2 billion needed to build a tunnel," said Licata.

Councilmember Jan Drago, chair of the Transportation Committee, is also heading up an effort to see if an alternative proposal can be hammered out that is acceptable to the proponents of both a new elevated structure and a tunnel. If this effort succeeds, then there would be no need for a vote according to the Governor's prior comments.

Visit the Seattle City Council website at http://www.seattle.gov/council where you can view Council meetings in progress and access previous meetings.