From the Seattle Times:

OLYMPIA — Gov. Christine Gregoire on Thursday said the state would move ahead with replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with an elevated highway if the city of Seattle fails to let voters decide the project’s future this spring.

Gregoire last month called for a public vote in Seattle to break the political stalemate over whether to build a more affordable elevated structure or a tunnel that she considers financially out of reach.

The tunnel option is financially out of reach. I’m glad that she’s spanked the Seattle City Council by telling them this needs to be put to a vote, especially since those spoiled brats don’t trust the people to “make the right decision.”

In recent weeks, some Seattle City Council members have questioned whether the issue should go before voters.

The governor gave the ultimatum in an interview at her office. If the public doesn’t vote before lawmakers leave town, “it’s over,” she said. “It’s over because then I will instruct the Department of Transportation to move forward with the above-ground” option.

That’s probably the best choice. It certainly will cost less and it will get the job done. Well, it will cost less as long as Mayor Nickels and the city council don’t follow through on their threats to slow the project down and drive the cost up through the permitting process and lawsuits.

Jan Drago, who leads the council’s transportation committee, has been working on a possible compromise that she says might satisfy the governor and avert an election.

Drago and others are considering a smaller, less costly four-lane tunnel or an elevated highway with a park on top. Opponents of a new viaduct say the structure would further wall downtown off from the waterfront.

Council President Nick Licata said he couldn’t see how Drago’s alternatives “would make all sides happy.”

It wouldn’t. Drago is more interested in aesthetics than in a practical solution to regional traffic problems. The mayor and a few people on the city council want parks that they can put their names on.

The Governor’s Office had no comment on Drago’s suggestions. However, Holly Armstrong, a spokeswoman for Gregoire, said the governor would not support an option that carries less traffic.

Licata, meanwhile, has drafted a proposed ballot question for a March 13 election.

It would ask voters if they prefer a tunnel, “which has secured $2.4 billion of a likely total cost of $4.6 billion,” or a new elevated highway, “which has $2.4 billion of secured funding of a likely total cost of $2.8 billion.”

Licata’s ballot question also would note that additional local taxes might be required to pay for anything above the secured amounts.

…

Most council members are still uncommitted over a public vote on the matter.

More like they don’t want one and will do anything to get their way.

The Legislature last year asked that Seattle residents vote on a viaduct-replacement option or that the City Council choose a replacement by ordinance. While the council initially intended to put the issue to a vote, it changed its mind and endorsed the tunnel.

There’s not much indication that the council will abide by the Governor’s decision to put it to a vote of the people either. They want the tunnel, and can’t figure out how to sell their boondoggle. They know that, so they don’t trust the voters to “vote the right way”.

Gregoire is in a tough spot politically. Chopp and a majority of House Democrats oppose the tunnel. Nickels and a majority of City Council members oppose building a new viaduct.

Nickels has said he would abide by whatever voters decide. Chopp said he doubts voters would opt for a tunnel, but he wouldn’t say what he would do if he’s wrong.

The state has set aside $2.4 billion, including gas taxes and federal aid, for a replacement project. The Governor’s Office says the state should come up with $400 million more, regardless of which choice Seattle voters make.

Ultimately, the cost overruns are going to end up paid for by the rest of the state anyway. You can bet that whatever choice is made it’s going to cost more than $2.8 billion. And you can bet that the money will end up coming from other needed transportation packages.

Maybe instead of a vote that only the people of Seattle can participate in the Governor should have told the Legislature to let the people of the whole state vote instead.

Previous Posts:

• Seattle City Council balks at vote?
• Try Harder? How about listening?”
• Governor: Give Voters the Choice
• King County Council conflicted over morality
• Mayor Nickels ready to act like spoiled child
• Seattle City Council among reasons viaduct cost could rise
• Do we need another big government agency for transit?
• More drivers, more time in gridlock

Cross posted at Perri Nelson’s Website.