I appreciated the Herald's report (Oct. 12) that "all of the candidates" at a recent forum now accept what the common man has known for months: that a Yes I-912 vote sends State Route 99 plans "back to the drawing board." Praise be!
Back in 1996 the Washington Department of Transportation estimated a viaduct retrofit at $344 million and then again in 2001 at $720 million. These are comprehensive retrofits including soils and foundation improvements that Washington State Department of Transportation says will deliver an extra 50 years of life.
Combined with Washington State Department of Transportation's current $300 million estimate for seawall replacement, $1 billion would get the job done - $220 million in federal funds now available can be supplemented with regional dollars to raise that amount.
The retrofit simply isn't dependent upon a state gas tax like the mayor's Taj Ma-tunnel is! Let's get on with improving seismic safety minus the grand schemes and construction gridlock.
Admittedly, a retrofit spoils the plans of those who irresponsibly disregard the economic damage their tunnel would wreak upon Seattle. Think of the job losses!
While pathetic suggestions for ferrying office workers via water taxis and monorails spill forth, what of freight mobility on which all local jobs depend?
Washington Secretary of Transportation McDonald fully admits that he has no clue how to replace lost capacity during tunnel construction. Neither does the mayor, nor will he talk about it.
Even following tunnel construction, heaven forbid, West Side commuters to downtown would exit into the heart of Pioneer Square at King Street to merge with other West Side traffic driving north along First Ave. Then on game days you'd be right back in Pioneer Square fighting to get home. At least today southbound Viaduct access at Elliott and Columbia gets us around much of that game traffic.
If the tunnel environmental impact statement is to be believed, northbound exits at Seneca and Western also would disappear. Northbound drivers will be forced almost to Lake Union when all they wished to reach was Pike Place Market, Nordstrom's, library or art museum.
It's not the nine cents, it's the nonsense! Bring on the smelling salts.
Craig Keller
Genesee
