A long simmering debate over how to deal with a damaged inner city freeway has seemingly found a conclusion as voters in Seattle have approved a plan to begin work on replacing the freeway with a tunnel.
More than 60% of voters are in favor of replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel beneath the city -- a plan opposed by many, including the current mayor.
"Councilmember Mike O'Brien, a tunnel foe, called it a "decisive" result, and said "the people of Seattle are ready to move forward." He called on tunnel opponents to take the loss graciously and work to make the tunnel the best possible project for the city.
But not all opponents were satisfied. Anti-tunnel activist Elizabeth Campbell issued a statement calling the Referendum 1 vote "far from a decisive victory" and vowed to continue her efforts.
The $2 billion tunnel is the most controversial part of the $3.1 billion state project to replace Seattle's creaky double-decker waterfront highway that was damaged in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake."
FULL STORY: Voters backing Seattle tunnel; fight may finally be over
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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research