SEATTLE, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Seattle officials said Monday an agreement has been reached on a plan to replace an elevated highway that runs through downtown with a $4.25 billion tunnel.
Mayor Greg Nickels said the deal on the long-sought replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct would have the state paying for the tunnel itself while the city and King County would foot the bill for street and transit improvements.
Nickels said he was hoping some of the money could come from the federal government's planned economic stimulus plan.
The Seattle Time said the project calls for a tunnel to be dug under First Avenue in the city's western downtown area. Once completed, the Viaduct would be torn down, opening up the view of the popular waterfront.
The Times said Seattle has been wrestling with plans to either remove or replace the 55-year-old viaduct ever since it was damaged by an earthquake in 2001. Voters have rejected past public-funding proposals and he environmental community has been advocating tearing down the viaduct and focusing on improving public transit.
