Officials in Washington have come to a consensus on plans to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Seattle's damaged inner-city arterial. They've decided on a $4 billion tunnel, but the plans still need approval from the state legislature.
"Whether they can get the Legislature -- specifically, House Speaker Frank Chopp -- to endorse the most expensive option for replacing the vital Seattle arterial remains to be seen."
"The last time the viaduct battle came to a head, Chopp, D-Seattle, vigorously opposed anything but an above-ground replacement. He is credited with killing the tunnel plan the last time around."
"Since that time, he has invested energy designing and promoting an above-the-ground replacement that would have included a throughway and a shopping center -- all capped with a waterfront park."
"On Monday, Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis confirmed that a consensus had been reached to build a deep-bore tunnel, with an estimated cost of more than $4 billion."
Read the full story: Viaduct choice: It's a tunnel
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