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City of Seattle
NOTE: This news release has been retained for historical use ONLY! While the text was accurate at the date of the release, the contact information may be out of date. If you have any questions regarding this news release, please contact the Citizen Service Bureau at 206-684-CITY or using the Service Request Form found at: http://www.seattle.gov/CitizenService/.
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Schell’s Request for Federal Transportation Aid Results in $12.8 Million for the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Magnolia Bridge
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
7/11/2001 1:07:00 PM |
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Mayor Schell’s Request for
Federal Transportation Aid Results in $12.8 Million for the Alaskan Way Viaduct
and Magnolia Bridge
Senator Murray Plays Leadership Role in
Securing Funding
SEATTLE – Mayor Paul Schell’s appeal for
federal transportation aid for the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Magnolia Bridge has
resulted in $12.8 million in disaster relief thanks to the leadership of U.S.
Sen. Patty Murray.
In the aftermath of the Nisqually quake, Mayor
Schell flew to Washington, D.C. to ask for federal transportation assistance for
the bridges, both seriously damaged in the Nisqually earthquake in February.
The mayor’s requests resulted in $9 million for
the Magnolia Bridge and $3.8 million for the Alaskan Way Viaduct being included
in the 2001 Senate Supplemental Appropriations Bill. These are exactly the
amounts the mayor requested. The mayor learned of the successful funding when
Murray called him during yesterday’s All-Star Game, right after Cal Ripkin hit
his home run.
"This is monumental for Seattle’s
commuters. This money is a critical first step toward developing permanent,
long-term replacements for these important transportation links—the Viaduct
and Magnolia Bridge, which are our highest transportation priorities,"
Schell said.
Mayor Schell thanked Sen. Murray, chair of the
Senate’s Transportation and Appropriations subcommittee, saying, "I made
this request knowing that it would be a tall order to achieve in an extremely
tight budget year. But even though it was difficult, Senator Patty Murray came
through. We have a tremendous ally in the senator. She went to bat for our
community, and she delivered."
The mayor also praised Sen. Maria Cantwell for
her leadership on the issue. In addition, the mayor thanked Councilmember
Richard McIver, Council President Margaret Pageler and Judy Runstad for their
hard work.
McIver, chair of City Council’s Transportation
Committee, also thanked Senator Murray. "This demonstrates the city and
federal governments working together to help solve our important transportation
problems," he said.
The $12.8 million will fund the engineering
studies and analysis that are necessary before construction of new permanent,
long-term structures to replace the old bridges can begin.
The $3.8 million for the Viaduct will allow the
city to complete studies of the Alaskan Way Seawall, including its seismic
vulnerability, and enables the city in partnership with the Washington
Department of Transportation to be ready with a permanent long-term replacement
solution for the Viaduct as soon as possible. "We’re working on a very
aggressive schedule to which both Transportation Secretary Doug McDonald and I
are fully committed," Schell said.
The federal appropriation comes on top of
$500,000 for the study of the Alaskan Way Seawall that was included in the state’s
transportation budget.
"The $9 million for the Magnolia Bridge will
get us to the point where we’re ready to start construction of a new and
vastly improved structure in three years, a very aggressive schedule, which I
have asked for," Schell said. "This money will get us there."
The $12.8 million is in the Senate's version of
the Emergency Supplemental appropriations bill. It now goes to a House-Senate
conference committee, where the bill is expected to be moved forward quickly. It
may arrive on the president’s desk by the middle of next week.
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Mayor's Office
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