On Saturday, March 18, I headed off to tour the viaduct and listen to the various organizations tell us what was happening or going to happen to the existing viaduct and new tunnel. Many of the attendees shared my cost concern: Where are we going to find the money to pay for it and does that mean that the current streets and bridges are going to continue to deteriorate? I was curious about the range of numbers and why hizzoner's tunnel wouldn't share the same cost fate as the famous "Big Dig" in Boston.

First the range and where the various organizations are in developing the numbers.

I was told there are about 100 people working on the project. Their progress: about 5 percent of the engineering is complete. People who have worked on large projects will tell you 5 percent is hardly past the (beginning) stage. Second, the range of estimates: "The lower number ($3.7 billion) represents a 10 percent confidence level in the project cost. The higher number ($4.5 billion) represents a 90 percent confidence level. So we have a multibillion-dollar project with 5 percent of the engineering complete and a 90percent confidence level that the project will cost no more than $4.5 billion.

Next question: what makes you so sure you won't experience the factor of six growth in costs like the Boston "Big Dig"? I was told the original estimate didn't include inflation and the cost of money, and that much of the cost growth resulted because the project grew in scope after it was started. Fair enough - can you please tell me what the "original" project would have cost if they had included cost of money and inflation? "Good question, Mike" was the response. I hope we get the answer some time soon.

But wait, there's more. A look at the map shows no downtown exit or entrance. The Western Avenue ramps remain and now there is one to make it easier for the Mariner and Seahawk fans. So, to me, the question is: Why bother? If working people can't get downtown via the tunnel, do we need one?

Mike Wayte

Beach Drive