Comments on: Voters Want a Debate About the Future http://mcginnformayor.com/2009/06/voters-want-a-debate-about-the-future/ Transportation | Education | Connectivity Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:11:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Art http://mcginnformayor.com/2009/06/voters-want-a-debate-about-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Art Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:32:07 +0000 http://mcginnformayor.com/?p=535#comment-15 McGinn is right to oppose the Deep-bore tunnel. It won't serve Ballard-bound traffic. This means about 40,000 a day or 2500 cars 'per hour' will gridlock the new Alaskan Way with 15-20 stoplights! The only sensible tunnel option is the "4-lane" Cut-n-Cover. The March 2007 voter-rejected tunnel was a "6-lane" Cut-n-Cover, rejected because it disrupted SR-99 traffic and the Waterfront District too much. The "4-lane" Cut-n-Cover allows the AWV to remain in place until the last year or so while the Belltown segment is built. Traffic then is diverted via Broad, 'north' Alaskan Way, and enters the completed tunnel at Pike. Removal of the AWV and finishing Alaskan Way then begins. The Seawall is rebuilt during tunnel construction. Mike. Mayoral candidates must take a stand on the 4-lane Cut-n-Cover tunnel. It should at least be put back on the table. You think the Deep-bore's 40,000 more vehicles a day on Alaskan Way sounds bad? Think about how much worse the 100,000 SR-99 vehicles trying to get through Seattle would be! Too few people honestly believe better transit will suffice and will vote accordingly. McGinn is right to oppose the Deep-bore tunnel. It won’t serve Ballard-bound traffic. This means about 40,000 a day or 2500 cars ‘per hour’ will gridlock the new Alaskan Way with 15-20 stoplights!

The only sensible tunnel option is the “4-lane” Cut-n-Cover. The March 2007 voter-rejected tunnel was a “6-lane” Cut-n-Cover, rejected because it disrupted SR-99 traffic and the Waterfront District too much. The “4-lane” Cut-n-Cover allows the AWV to remain in place until the last year or so while the Belltown segment is built. Traffic then is diverted via Broad, ‘north’ Alaskan Way, and enters the completed tunnel at Pike. Removal of the AWV and finishing Alaskan Way then begins. The Seawall is rebuilt during tunnel construction.

Mike. Mayoral candidates must take a stand on the 4-lane Cut-n-Cover tunnel. It should at least be put back on the table. You think the Deep-bore’s 40,000 more vehicles a day on Alaskan Way sounds bad? Think about how much worse the 100,000 SR-99 vehicles trying to get through Seattle would be! Too few people honestly believe better transit will suffice and will vote accordingly.

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