The debate over Seattle’s mega-highway project, the $4.2B Deep-Bore Tunnel, continues to deepen and is anything but boring.
Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin, the subject of our two-part interview, posts for himself on Publicola: “State Overrun Language Serves Only to Alarm and Divide Seattleites.”
Over at HorsesAss.org, Goldy suggests that Richard and the rest of the Council (the ones who support the tunnel, at least) should put their money where their mouths are:
“Why not just have the council pass a resolution restating everything you just said here, that the cost overrun provision is illegal and unenforceable, and that the council would vigorously oppose any effort to impose such on Seattle taxpayers. Hell, pass an ordinance prohibiting Seattle from paying for any cost overruns.”
Meanwhile, Seattle city activist Elizabeth Campbell, whose Seattle Citizens Against the Tunnel is poised to file suit against the tunnel once the City Council acts, has raised a possible conflict of interest against the city’s tunnel consultants.
“State overruns only alarms Seattleites”
Well of course is should! Some huge percentage of these mega projects go way over budget. And the estimates for this project are only based on 2% of the engineering done. And if Seattle has to PAY for a tunnel, it stops looking so good.
Fix the SeaWall first.
Next, add LINK to West Seattle and a Street car to Freemont
Next Tear down the existing viaduct
Fix Alaska Way to ease traffic.
If after doing all that, we still need a tunnel, then dig one. I bet Seattle will decide that there are better uses for 8Billion dollars than a tolled tunnel that only 46K cars a day would use.
Your interviews with Richard Conlin were excellent and fair. Question – why do you think political realities count for nothing? Do you really think Mike McGinn can get a better deal for Seattle or the environment than the one Seattle has already struck? Who are the Olympia allies you can count on? Does the idea of a new viaduct scare you at all?
I find the aggressive spy vs. spy, progressive vs. progressive tone of the anti-tunnel folk to be really depressing. I agree with McGinn on outcomes – and also agree with Conlin. But who has McGinn treated respectfully in his campaign or time as mayor? What respect does he show the hard work of others? We can always eat our own but Richard and others have accomplished too much to be treated so disrespectfully by their logical allies. It makes some of us a bit defensive.
Thanks,
David Schraer