The 2011 Legislature directed WSDOT to form an Expert Review Panel to evaluate the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program’s finance plan (pdf 6.5 Mb) as the tunnel project moves into final design and construction. The panel updated the work completed by a 2006 expert panel.
Gov. Gregoire, the House and Senate transportation committee chairs and the Transportation Secretary selected three members for the panel. Each member’s expertise is noted in parentheses below:
- 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)
Report
The panel submitted their report and recommendations in February 2012 to the Governor, the Legislature’s transportation committees and the Transportation Commission.
They found that the program is on schedule and budget and can be successfully completed, and recommended that WSDOT move to secure all funding sources, including tolling and Port of Seattle contributions. The panel also said WSDOT and the City of Seattle should complete a binding agreement regarding the new Alaskan Way surface street, which will be funded by the state.
WSDOT is working to address the panel’s findings. The agency submitted a bill to the Legislature authorizing tolling for the SR 99 tunnel. Bonding authorization will be submitted in 2013. It is also preparing new toll revenue projections and identifying substitute funding if projections fall short. WSDOT is working with the port to create a binding agreement for its financial contribution to the program, as follow-up to a 2010 memorandum of agreement (pdf 269 kb). An Alaskan Way street agreement with the city is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
For questions about the expert review panel, email viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov.