December 23, 2008

Hon. Christine Gregoire, Governor
P.O. Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504

Hon. Ron Sims, King County Executive
701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3210
Seattle, WA 98104

Hon. Greg Nickels, City of Seattle Mayor
600 Fourth Avenue, Seventh Floor
Seattle, WA 98124

Dear Governor Gregoire, Executive Sims and Mayor Nickels:

The Municipal League is pleased with the sound process you set up to seek a solution to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Now that the work of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee is drawing to a close, we urge you to follow their recommendations.

As we wrote in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer ("Stalling is not an option," Op-Ed, Dec. 11), the process used by the committee was open-minded, transparent and sought public input. We are especially impressed with the breadth and holistic nature of the analysis to consider all modes of mobility, as well as travel through Seattle and circulation on a network of city streets -- rather than simply the vehicle capacity of the Viaduct.

We need to integrate the highways through downtown with city streets and our investments in transit infrastructure.  While this new approach raises many questions about how to adapt our transportation-funding system, it is time to address that policy barrier. The Municipal League is on record supporting the principle of congestion pricing.

Instead of either-or decision-making, our community is moving toward an agreed-upon set of best elements to improve the transportation network and develop a more vibrant and economically strong city. We must not let one proposal, special interest or specific element of a proposal distract us from the goal of a comprehensive solution.

Our region can get this right by building upon the excellent process to date and finding a solution that reflects the best overall value to the public.

Sincerely,

Brad Meacham
Chair, Board of Trustees
Municipal League of King County