Comments on: A New Poll Shows that Voters Want McGinn to Oppose the Tunnel and Work for a Better Future http://mcginnformayor.com/2009/06/a-new-poll-shows-that-voters-want-mcginn-to-oppose-the-tunnel-and-work-for-a-better-future/ Transportation | Education | Connectivity Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:58:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Jeremy J http://mcginnformayor.com/2009/06/a-new-poll-shows-that-voters-want-mcginn-to-oppose-the-tunnel-and-work-for-a-better-future/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Jeremy J Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:13:52 +0000 http://mcginnformayor.com/?p=594#comment-106 It has been said, over and over again... That retrofitting the viaduct or even rebuilding the viaduct is not viable solution to the problem and using the excuse of "you get a great view"... is not an acceptable answer and is quite ridiculous... It has been said, over and over again… That retrofitting the viaduct or even rebuilding the viaduct is not viable solution to the problem and using the excuse of “you get a great view”… is not an acceptable answer and is quite ridiculous…

]]> By: Sara Green http://mcginnformayor.com/2009/06/a-new-poll-shows-that-voters-want-mcginn-to-oppose-the-tunnel-and-work-for-a-better-future/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Sara Green Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:47:07 +0000 http://mcginnformayor.com/?p=594#comment-36 While I strongly oppose the tunnel plan (not just for cost, but for design flaws that will make traffic worse, not better), that does not mean that I endorse tearing down the viaduct. I think the viaduct is a valuable asset, especially for those folks living in the NW and SW areas of Seattle. It needs the earthquake retrofit, and it needs some re-working of the exit/entrances to improve safety, but otherwise is a fine road with one of the most enjoyable views of the city, mountains, and Sound in the area. As for the concept that it "divides" downtown from the waterfront, I say BS on that. The giant swathes of parking and bad sidewalk design cut downtown off from the waterfront, not the viaduct. Easily corrected, improved, and beautified, and won't cost a bajillion dollars to do it. I don't think pushing us all to I-5 is an answer, either. Remember that the viaduct isn't just about downtown, it's about Ballard, Magnolia, West Seattle, White Center, SoDo, Georgetown, and South Park, too. Keep/fix the viaduct and put the rest into improving our public transportation. More people will use public transit if it's frequent and reliable, which now it is not. While I strongly oppose the tunnel plan (not just for cost, but for design flaws that will make traffic worse, not better), that does not mean that I endorse tearing down the viaduct. I think the viaduct is a valuable asset, especially for those folks living in the NW and SW areas of Seattle. It needs the earthquake retrofit, and it needs some re-working of the exit/entrances to improve safety, but otherwise is a fine road with one of the most enjoyable views of the city, mountains, and Sound in the area.

As for the concept that it “divides” downtown from the waterfront, I say BS on that. The giant swathes of parking and bad sidewalk design cut downtown off from the waterfront, not the viaduct. Easily corrected, improved, and beautified, and won’t cost a bajillion dollars to do it.

I don’t think pushing us all to I-5 is an answer, either. Remember that the viaduct isn’t just about downtown, it’s about Ballard, Magnolia, West Seattle, White Center, SoDo, Georgetown, and South Park, too.

Keep/fix the viaduct and put the rest into improving our public transportation. More people will use public transit if it’s frequent and reliable, which now it is not.

]]> By: Pledge Drive- 21 more donations needed by midnight « Michael McGinn for Seattle Mayor http://mcginnformayor.com/2009/06/a-new-poll-shows-that-voters-want-mcginn-to-oppose-the-tunnel-and-work-for-a-better-future/comment-page-1/#comment-35 Pledge Drive- 21 more donations needed by midnight « Michael McGinn for Seattle Mayor Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:19:50 +0000 http://mcginnformayor.com/?p=594#comment-35 [...] in my message of a better Seattle, and we’ve already seen how well this message resonates with voters across the city. Now I need your help. The primary is August 18th and we need to act now to reach critical primary [...] [...] in my message of a better Seattle, and we’ve already seen how well this message resonates with voters across the city. Now I need your help. The primary is August 18th and we need to act now to reach critical primary [...]

]]> By: Chris Ordonez http://mcginnformayor.com/2009/06/a-new-poll-shows-that-voters-want-mcginn-to-oppose-the-tunnel-and-work-for-a-better-future/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Chris Ordonez Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:29:33 +0000 http://mcginnformayor.com/?p=594#comment-22 Here's a link that shows the "I-5, Surface & Transit Hybrid Scenario" as presented to the Stakeholders Advisory Committee. The design comes from USDOT/ WSDOT and was one of the final two approved plans developed through the lengthy engineering and public engagement process. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/77C3A087-3751-4B31-9775-69EE525140A8/0/I5SurfactTransitHybridScen_Dec08.pdf Here’s a link that shows the “I-5, Surface & Transit Hybrid Scenario” as presented to the Stakeholders Advisory Committee. The design comes from USDOT/ WSDOT and was one of the final two approved plans developed through the lengthy engineering and public engagement process.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/77C3A087-3751-4B31-9775-69EE525140A8/0/I5SurfactTransitHybridScen_Dec08.pdf

]]> By: Tim McGuire http://mcginnformayor.com/2009/06/a-new-poll-shows-that-voters-want-mcginn-to-oppose-the-tunnel-and-work-for-a-better-future/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Tim McGuire Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:52:05 +0000 http://mcginnformayor.com/?p=594#comment-18 Mike, I live in West Seattle and use the viaduct all the time. I'd like to know just exactly what the $500 million in I-5 upgrades would do. Would it replace the capacity (passenger vehicles and frieght vehicles) that is currently being used on the viaduct? If not, what is the plan to deal with that? What about those who use the Viaduct and highway 99 / Aurrora to go from south of downtown / West Seattle to say Queen Anne / Ballard / Magnolia, Interbay? How would that re-routed east to west traffic be dealt with from I-5 going west to those neighborhoods? Through Wallingford? Through Ballard? How about people going from Magnolia / Queen Anne / Ballard going to the airport or West / South Seattle? Would the improvements on I-5 really be able to hold the increased volume? I'd tend to doubt that at $500 million. I understand your opposition to the tunnel and it's extream costs and I'd like to see leadership that can solve the problems presented by the Viaduct being torn down. So far I've not seen that from anyone. If you don't want the tunnel which is a very specific solution then what is your very specific plan to deal with the world as it exists and will exist after the viaduct is torn down and there is no tunnel replacing it? Mike,

I live in West Seattle and use the viaduct all the time. I’d like to know just exactly what the $500 million in I-5 upgrades would do.

Would it replace the capacity (passenger vehicles and frieght vehicles) that is currently being used on the viaduct? If not, what is the plan to deal with that?

What about those who use the Viaduct and highway 99 / Aurrora to go from south of downtown / West Seattle to say Queen Anne / Ballard / Magnolia, Interbay? How would that re-routed east to west traffic be dealt with from I-5 going west to those neighborhoods? Through Wallingford? Through Ballard?

How about people going from Magnolia / Queen Anne / Ballard going to the airport or West / South Seattle? Would the improvements on I-5 really be able to hold the increased volume? I’d tend to doubt that at $500 million.

I understand your opposition to the tunnel and it’s extream costs and I’d like to see leadership that can solve the problems presented by the Viaduct being torn down. So far I’ve not seen that from anyone. If you don’t want the tunnel which is a very specific solution then what is your very specific plan to deal with the world as it exists and will exist after the viaduct is torn down and there is no tunnel replacing it?

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