With the upcoming advisory vote, I cannot understand how any West Seattleite who commutes over the West Seattle Bridge could do anything other than vote "yes" to replace the viaduct and No on the mayor's Tunnel Lite proposal.

The proponents of a tunnel, and the even sillier surface street option, have done an excellent job of obfuscating the issues. The tunnel proponents, in league with city staff, have whined about the Washington State Department of Transportation and its failure to send the city a report on the Tunnel Lite project. This is a diversion. In a game of political chicken with Olympia, they are focusing on defeating the viaduct option, hoping the governor will buckle and provide state funds for a tunnel.

The mayor and the tunnel proponents have done nothing to explain exactly how the Tunnel Lite proposal will impact West Seattle. First, the Tunnel Lite proposal will cost at least $3.4 billion. This is far more than the money the state has allocated to the project. The mayor's proposal does not even take into consideration the repair to the Battery Street tunnel, something that is paid for in the viaduct proposal. The mayor proposes to raise our utility rates at least $500 million to pay for Tunnel Lite. This use of utility rates is probably illegal. A recent decision of the Washington Supreme Court determined that utility rates can only be narrowly focused on actually operating a utility. It is difficult to see how a rate increase to build the mayor's tunnel is legal.

We have all of the money we need from the state to rebuild the viaduct.

Second, the mayor and the tunnel proponents have not explained that there will be no Seneca Street off ramp from the tunnel. All traffic coming from West Seattle will get off at Royal Brougham Way or King Street. Then, all traffic will proceed on the surface to downtown Seattle. For commuters: imagine how downtown streets will become a parking lot. If you are a friend of Pioneer Square or the International District: forget about it. Those communities will be damaged by the mayor's proposal. By contrast, the rebuilt viaduct will have a Seneca Street off ramp.

Finally, the biggest damage for West Seattle commuters will be the fact that the SR-99 corridor will be closed for up to three years for Tunnel Lite construction. Imagine this: there will be no north/south corridor on SR-99 for three years while the Tunnel Lite is being built. Traffic from the West Seattle Bridge will have to use surface streets or I-5. Those surface streets and I-5 will become a parking lot. The mayor and the tunnel proponents have neglected to mention this little secret.

By contrast, the rebuilt viaduct will largely remain open during construction. There may be a period of about 90 days in which the entire SR 99 corridor is closed. Other than that, the corridor will be open for business.

The mayor's Tunnel Lite will do damage to the people of West Seattle. West Seattle people should vote against Tunnel Lite and for a rebuilt viaduct.

Philip A. Talmadge

West Seattle

Editor, West Seattle Herald

March 1, 2007

Page 2

TALMADGE LAW GROUP PLLC

18010 SOUTHCENTER PARKWAY

TUKWILA, WASHINGTON 98188

(206) 574-6661 (206) 575-1397 FAX

EMAIL: PHIL@TALMADGELG.COM