Press Release:
The Seattle City Council today approved C.B. 117101 with a vote of 8-1. Today's action accepts the state-offered agreements that provide legally binding protections for the City of Seattle with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The City joins our regional partners in moving forward with replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct (AWV) with a deep bored tunnel solution.

"This action today demonstrates our commitment to protecting the City's best interests and taking the next critical steps in contracting with the state to advance the bored tunnel program," stated Council President Richard Conlin. "As we near the 10-year anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake, we recognize the last 10 years of a comprehensive public dialogue on this project and take pride in continuing this project's momentum."

The agreements ensure that the Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light are active partners on the project while the tunnel contractor finalizes designs and refines their construction approach. These agreements will be affirmed with the state once the final Environmental Impact Statement and Federal Record of Decision are released, which is expected late this summer.

"The AWV replacement tunnel is critically important to safety, mobility, economic vitality, provides the best option for transit, and the opportunity for a visionary waterfront," said Councilmember and Transportation Committee chair, Tom Rasmussen. "These agreements protect the City against third party claims and commit the state to work with the City to protect its neighborhoods from traffic impacts caused by the tolling of the tunnel, as well as ensuring all new infrastructure will meet City design standards."