SEATTLE (AP) — Plans for a $2 billion tunnel under downtown Seattle remain on schedule after the city council voted Monday to override the mayor’s veto.
The 8-1 vote keeps contracts in place and assures that city departments will cooperate with the Washington Transportation Department.
Gov. Chris Gregoire thanked the council and said the tunnel will ensure public safety, preserve traffic capacity and give Seattle a world-class waterfront.
The tunnel will replace an elevated stretch of Highway 99 along the Seattle waterfront — the Alaskan Way Viaduct, which was damaged in an earthquake 10 years ago.
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn vetoed the tunnel project because of the risk that city taxpayers will bear the cost of construction overruns. Tunnel opponents are working on two measures to put the issue to a public vote.
