Weighing in on the Viaduct

State Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson

I received a pair of important letters Friday evening (Dec. 12) concerning the Alaskan Way Viaduct. One letter was from Gov. Chris Gregoire. The other was from the Chair of the House Transportation Committee, where I represent our 36th district on transportation issues.

Both letters were sent to transportation leaders to emphasize the same point, namely: Contrary to many news reports, every option for replacing the Viaduct is still on the table, and there is still time for the public to weigh in on the choices.

People in Ballard should speak up while we can, because the Viaduct decision will have huge consequences that will affect our time and money for generations.

The surface option: A Ballard Nightmare

For example, consider the “I-5/Surface/Transit Hybrid” that a group of transportation planners recently listed as one of two “preferred” alternatives. You won’t find many people in Ballard who would prefer to replace a fast elevated highway with a clogged surface street that has 28 stop lights, a 30 MPH speed limit, and countless pedestrians!

The result would be nightmarish gridlock. For everyone who relies on the Viaduct to get through Seattle—or home again—it would mean more time wasted in traffic and less time with family or friends. And for every local business that depends on SR-99 to connect with clients and customers, the lost time would translate into lost money and a competitive disadvantage.

I-5 commuters would suffer, too. Eliminating SR 99 as a viable north-south alternative could divert literally tens of thousands of cars and trucks to I-5 each day. Even though the surface hybrid includes a half billion dollars in I-5 improvements to mitigate the impacts of added traffic, I suspect I-5 traffic jams would grow much longer and more maddening than they are now.

The elevated hybrid: Second best

Ballard would be better served by the other so-called preferred alternative – the “Elevated Bypass Hybrid,” which features a pair of two-lane bridges running side by side along the waterfront.

This proposal preserves a north-south highway that avoids the traffic snarls of downtown Seattle. Like the surface hybrid, it includes some transit improvements, such as increased Metro RapidRide routes for Ballard/Uptown and Aurora. And it would have on and off ramps at Western and Elliot, which is essential for Ballard.

This hybrid may also be the cheapest of the elevated options, though final traffic counts and cost figures are not yet available.

My preferred choice: The Waterfront Parkway

But I believe there is an even better choice for Ballard—the Waterfront Parkway Option.

Like the Elevated Hybrid, the Waterfront Parkway is affordable and features two elevated lanes in each direction, with ramps at Elliot and Western. But the Parkway has a key advantage: room to grow. It wisely sets aside space for an additional lane in each direction that could be dedicated to buses or other HOV options as our transportation needs grow.

In addition to the essentials—a fast thoroughfare with great access to Ballard and Seattle destinations like Pike Place Market— the Parkway offers benefits that no other alternative provides.

A beautiful public park above the Parkway would have nearly a mile of spectacular views of Puget Sound, and a wealth of new shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities would be created below the highway and along a waterfront promenade.

This unique and appealing vision would serve Ballard well.

How do you feel?

To learn more about Viaduct options, visit the project’s web page (www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/Viaduct/).

You can voice your preferences by email (viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov), the special toll-free viaduct hotline (1-888-AWV-LINE), or by writing to the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program, 999 Third Ave., Suite 2424, Seattle, WA 98104. You can also contact Gov. Gregoire directly via her web page (www.governor.wa.gov/contact/).