Date:  Thursday, October 28, 2010

Contact: Kristy Van Ness, Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program, 206-805-2881, 206-300-4312 (cell)
KaDeena Yerkan, Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program, 206-805-2846, 206-795-1876 (cell)

SEATTLE – The Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the SR 99 bored tunnel will be released on Friday as endorsed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and City of Seattle. WSDOT and its partner agencies encourage public comment on the latest environmental analysis for replacing the seismically vulnerable Alaskan Way Viaduct.

The report examines potential environmental effects of the proposed bored tunnel, which would move SR 99 into a tunnel beneath downtown Seattle, reconnect the street grid at the ends of the tunnel, remove the viaduct along the waterfront and decommission the Battery Street Tunnel.

“With the publication of this report, we establish the bored tunnel as the preferred alternative and keep this critical public-safety project on schedule,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “We want to hear the public’s comments on the environmental analysis, so we can ensure this project meets the needs of the communities that use SR 99 and live and work nearby.”

The report builds on previous environmental analysis and brings the bored tunnel alternative to the same level of analysis as alternatives studied in 2004 and 2006 draft EIS reports.

“We hear every day from the public about this project, and this provides an additional opportunity for the public to comment,” said Ron Paananen, Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program Administrator. “Comments will be responded to in the final report, scheduled for publication in the middle of 2011.”

A 45-day public comment period runs from Oct. 29 to Dec. 13, 2010.

To review the environmental document

• View documents online: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/library-environmental.htm.
• Visit local libraries in the greater Seattle area.
• Call the project office at 206-805-2832 to request a free executive summary and CD or to purchase a printed copy of the document.

To provide comments on the environmental document

• E-mail comments to awv2010SDEIScomments@wsdot.wa.gov
• Mail comments to Angela Freudenstein, Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project, 999 Third Ave., Suite 2424, Seattle, WA 98104.
• Attend a hearing and open house:

For more information on the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement program, please visit http://www.alaskanwayviaduct.org/.

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