SEATTLE – Mayor Mike McGinn is asking the Seattle City Council to stand by him and block a provision that would require Seattle taxpayers to pay for cost overruns on the downtown tunnel project.
Currently, the state says costs in excess of $2.8 billion will be borne by Seattle-area property owners who benefit from replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep-bore tunnel.
"I ask the city council to support it, to make it very clear that it is the city's position that cost overruns on a state highway project belong to the state," said McGinn, reports KIRO Radio. "And the state should live up to its additional promise, and if the state can step up to do that, then the agreements would take effect."
Most of the council, as well as Gov. Chris Gregoire, have already signed-off on the state's plan.
The city is in the process of preparing its final agreements with the state over the project.
KIRO Radio contributed to this report.
