Seattle City Council voted unanimously today to approve Council Bill 116668, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the city, authorizing both parties to move forward with the Alaskan Way Viaduct deep-bored tunnel and seawall replacement. (To find out more about the projects, read Northwest Hub's coverage here and here.)
This MOA marks the fourth in a series of contracts for the viaduct replacement project set for completion in 2018. In September council approved three contracts with the state that authorized more than $480 million in state funds to be used for reconfiguring the south portion of the viaduct. Today's agreement outlines the city and state’s funding and construction responsibilities, as well as Seattle’s $927 million obligation to the project.
Last Friday the council reviewed and discussed a variety of possible funding sources for its financial obligation to the project, including an increase in the commercial parking tax and a new transportation benefit district to collect vehicle license fees. The council is expected to select a funding option in 2010.
To view the full meeting on Seattle Channel, click here.
