Statement from Governor Gregoire on the Actions of the Seattle City Council

For Immediate Release: January 19, 2007

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement in response to the Seattle City Council resolution to put Alaskan Way viaduct replacement options on a March 13 ballot:

�I have always said we have an obligation to protect public safety in a fiscally responsible manner. We have been working on the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement since 1989.

�It is time to act.

�In December, I committed to live by the will of the Seattle voters on either the elevated structure or the cut and cover tunnel. Both options have been thoroughly reviewed over the last 18 months by the Department of Transportation, the City of Seattle and an independent Expert Review Panel. The city has eliminated the cut and cover tunnel and proposed a new alternative that has not been validated for very important issues, such as safety, capacity and cost.

�Again, we must move forward to protect public safety in a fiscally responsible way.�

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