Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Takes Another Step Forward (July 2011)

CONCUR often designs and executes collaborative processes that mesh with (or culminate in) a final environmental assessment. In the case of Seattle’s aging and at-risk Alaskan Way Viaduct (AWV) highway, the State of Washington has this week released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for its plans to replace the AWV with a deep-bore tunnel and transit option preferred by the State, City of Seattle and King County officials.

The FEIS represents the culmination of ten years of technical analysis and public, agency and tribal review. “The final EIS represents countless hours of debate, town halls, public outreach and technical review,” said Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire. “Completing this review process wasn’t a sprint, it was a marathon. Now the finish line is in sight, and we’ll begin construction of the bored tunnel this fall.” The final EIS examines the potential environmental effects of viaduct replacement alternatives, including a bored tunnel, and builds on the analysis included in the 2004 draft EIS, the 2006 supplemental draft EIS and the 2010 supplemental draft EIS. The document compares the effects of all three “build” alternatives (bored tunnel, cut-and-cover tunnel and an elevated structure) and explains why a bored tunnel is the preferred alternative. A Record of Decision is expected in August.

CONCUR worked on the project from 2007 to 2010, with its role focused on collaborative process design, strategic planning advice and stakeholder involvement. CONCUR was part of a team that helped build broad consensus after years of stalled negotiations.