News Gary Locke Joins Erica Barnett at the Barricades
posted by on February 12 at 14:12 PM
Meanwhile over at HorsesAss…
Last night on my show, former Governor Gary Locke unequivocally stated his opposition to building another elevated freeway to replace the aging Alaska Way Viaduct… and he said former Governors Rosellini, Evans and Lowry were firmly with him. (Gov. Spellman is apparently neutral.) Gov. Locke went on to say that while he enthusiastically supports the current “Tunnel-Lite” proposal, and believes the financing is in place to build it, he would back a surface-plus-transit option over a rebuild should voters reject the tunnel on March 13. The overwhelming priority for voters in the upcoming special election, Gov. Locke repeated several times, is to vote “No” on the rebuild….What I find most striking though is the growing number of high profile political, civic and business leaders who are willing to publicly lend their credibility towards the notion that a surface-plus-transit option is not only a reasonable and serious alternative, but preferable to a rebuild. The pro-rebuild/anti-surface camp tends to brush off surface supporters as a bunch of crazy, car-hating hippies or something like that, but that’s a pretty dismissive way to describe Gov. Locke, Executive Sims and a substantial chunk of our political and business establishment.
Here's the link you want.
http://www.horsesass.org/?p=2526
Gary who?
The two terms all talk no show gov?
Really Dan, his influence in Seattle is nil.
right now the former pols backing the tunnel will say anything to aid that point of view -
Good progress, yes indeed, but we can't underestimate the influence of those who worship at the alter of motor vehicles, especially the "freight community" who would convince us that every container moved at the Port of Seattle is transported on the Viaduct. These folks have influence and are used to exercising it, usually with success.
Gary who? Like he matters anymore - tell him to go cry over a white wine spritzer with Norm Rice. Maybe they can change the oil on Norm's car while they're at it.
Transit, as in buses? Genius. We're winning!
@ 4 -- there are relatively few big rigs on the Viaduct. They use the surface streets, which the Viaduct flies over.
I was pleased to hear the former governor speak up. I think if we need a tunnel, it should be at a higher elevation away from the water, under 1st Avenue. And then we need to get serious about some real investment in more electric buses, trollies, light rail and walking.
Check out just about any other modern City. There are lots of models. As Seattle matures, we will have more people living in the City who don't own cars. It works in Portland, Vancouver, San Francisco, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, etc. Why not here?
san francisco breathed a collective sigh of relief when the embarcadero freeway finally came down. the result was a more vibrant, commercially viable city, complete with beautiful (restored vintage streetcars culled from all over the world) and effecient public transit. trees were put in, waterfront walkways, trees and public art installed. my god, there WAS no downside. and naysayers were embarrassed into permanent silence on the subject.
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