Date:  Thursday, December 22, 2011

Contact:
KaDeena Yerkan, Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program, 206-795-1876 (Seattle)
Steve Pierce, WSDOT communications director, 360-705-7076 (Olympia)

SEATTLE – An expert review panel assessing the Washington State Department of Transportation’s finance plan (pdf 6.5 mb) for replacing the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct will release its findings and recommendations to the state Legislature in February.

“WSDOT is committed to project transparency and accountability,” said Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond. “We welcome the additional review of the viaduct program’s finance plan and look forward to hearing the panel’s recommendations.”

The 2011 Legislature directed WSDOT to convene an expert review panel to review the viaduct replacement’s finances as the SR 99 tunnel project moves into final design and construction. In early 2012, the panel will provide a report to the Legislature’s transportation committees, the Governor’s Alaskan Way Viaduct Executive Oversight Committee and the Washington State Transportation Commission.

Gov. Chris Gregoire, the House and Senate transportation committee chairs and Secretary Paula Hammond selected the three panel members earlier this fall. The panel members and their expertise include:

• Dr. Patricia Galloway, P.E., panel chair: Megaproject management, contract administration and risk management.
• Bob Goodfellow, P.E.: Underground construction and risk management.
• John Rose: Financing large projects, budgeting and bonding.

“We’re pleased these experts could independently evaluate the finance plan and share their perspectives as we move forward with this important safety project,” said Senate Transportation Committee Chair Mary Margaret Haugen.

During the past three months, panel members met with legislative leaders and staff from WSDOT, the Office of the State Treasurer, the city of Seattle and the Port of Seattle to discuss project budgets and funding, how the state manages risks and how the project team is organized to successfully deliver the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement.

“Delivering this project within budget is a top priority,” said House Transportation Committee Chair Judy Clibborn. “These experts will provide a fresh perspective and help us ensure this project remains financially viable.”

For more information about the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program, visit www.alaskanwayviaduct.org/.

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