Seattle waterfront viaduct
A new poll shows voters still have no idea what should be done about Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Poll: Seattleites have no clear answer on viaduct replacement

March 28, 2011 @ 5:08 pm (Updated: 6:05 pm - 3/28/11 )

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By ALEX SILVERMAN
KIRO Radio
Listen to Alex's report

A new poll shows voters still have no idea what should be done about Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct, but one thing is for sure: they're getting pretty tired of the debate.

"There are more voters in this poll who said 'let's honor the agreement' (40 percent) than said 'I'd vote for the tunnel if given the opportunity,' (35 percent)" pollster Stuart Elway told KIRO Radio.

The state and city have already agreed to replace the elevated roadway with a deep bore tunnel and demolition is already underway. Mayor Mike McGinn vetoed the plan, but the Seattle City Council overrode the veto. Petitioners have since stationed themselves across the city.

According to Elway, many Seattle voters agree with McGinn and think the public should put the project to a vote.

But, Elway said, that may be more trouble than it's worth.

"There's no indication here that the voters would really be able to decide what to do," he said.

Voters interviewed last week said they are divided on how to replace the structure: new or repaired viaduct (38 percent), tunnel (35 percent), or "new and improved surface streets" (21 percent).

Most of those who wanted to vote on the replacement were opposed to the tunnel, but they're not united on how to do it. Fifty-seven percent prefer a new viaduct, 30 percent want to drive on surface streets, nine percent want the tunnel, and five percent were undecided.

McGinn has recently said he wants the roadway torn down as soon as August. He fears an earthquake will be devastating to the viaduct and poses a major safety hazard to drivers.

However, McGinn vetoed the tunnel project because of what he said was the potential for cost overruns that would affect the tax payer, and the "crippling" effect it could have on downtown businesses.

In the meantime, the Washington State Department of Transportation installed a new earthquake closure system on the viaduct. It will shut down the viaduct within two minutes of a 5.0 magnitude or higher quake.

Crews inspected the structure last weekend and found no new cracks or structural damage. Inspections take place every three months to monitor its condition.

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Comments (17)


  • Add A Comment

  • sohojo wrote...
    4 Lane's
    March 28, 2011 5:18 pm
    Tear it down and make a nice 4 lane road. keep it as simple as possible and as cost effective as possible. Don't overthink it. I think the tunnel is a bad idea.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ry wrote...
    This is why
    March 28, 2011 5:33 pm
    I aligned myself as a track-day man, not one of those people who are politically-related, left-arm or whatever. Please, make it a tunnel.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dedufus wrote...
    Time for decisive action (for once)
    March 28, 2011 5:34 pm
    Get Mayor McDumdum to be quiet and quit using this as a football. We have voted and voted again. We have heard endless debates and delays and stalling and whiney politicians manipulating this trying to get some kind of advantage... News flash! We're all sick of it! Just build the Stupid thing a be done with it! The Nally-vally quake was OVER TEN YEARS AGO! And we still havent so much as put a shovel in the dirt to build ANYTHING.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dedufus wrote...
    There will be consequences
    March 28, 2011 5:36 pm
    When Mayor Nichols couldnt get a few flakes of snow off the road, we kicked his butt out of office. What's going to happen to McGinNtonic when the whole viaduct collapses a la Nimitz freeway? Just build the thing already!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kiddnplay wrote...
    Alaskan Way
    March 28, 2011 6:16 pm
    Ok Seattlelites get ready to have future regret on this tunnel project! Just think of the Big Dig in Boston took too long,cost too much,the price went up every yr,now it's been leaking for yrs constant repairs (more money) and for what?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    Mayor Bike Mike
    March 28, 2011 7:31 pm
    Tunnel with lot's of bike lanes with view of sound, parking meters for broken down cars ASAP
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    No clear plan for this bridge?
    March 28, 2011 8:12 pm
    Sounds like the lack of a plan and the backstabbing going on with Obama's War in Lbyia.

    Who can the Liberals pawn this bridge issue off on?

    Besides us taxpayers?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cliff Hanger wrote...
    ★★★ TO MAYOR MIKE McGINN ★★★
    March 28, 2011 8:14 pm
    57% prefer a new viaduct, 30 % want to drive on surface streets, 9% want the tunnel, and 5% percent were undecided. So this is what the people Seattle of think? No wonder the ONES with shovels don’t want a vote nor the State. Stick to your GUNS MAYOR your right on this one. To the ★ State: change one sentence, take out Seattle and replace with the State of Washington will pay for any cost over runs ★. Simple! But you know there will be and you are trying to stick it to Seattle. And yes I do not live in Seattle and am not one of the nine percent. Paybacks for the governor, Stab in the back for Seattle. :-(
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Stape on Sports wrote...
    Be done with it.
    March 28, 2011 8:47 pm
    sohojo is on the money. Wait, we have no money, let's toll it like 520 even though we already paid for it with the gas tax increases, but wait, there is still no money, let's raise the sales tax a few times to cover it, still no money. Hey let's hire another 7,000 state workers or more since Locke and Greg.... have been in office, let's keep voting the same worthless scam artist into office so they can continue to fleece us. WAIT,one more thing,WHO the heck votes these people into office. Until the people who live in King County and the city of Seattle decide enough is enough nothing will ever change, review the sad history over the last 30 to 40 years, not impressive.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tlmbrt wrote...
    Let's
    March 28, 2011 11:01 pm
    wait until the next quake brings it down. The city will save on demolition costs. Then we can whine and fight about it some more and it will cost twice as much!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }