PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM
COMMISSION AGENDA 
Item No.        6a
Date of Meeting    February 9, 2010
DATE:   February 3, 2010
TO:     Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
FROM:   Kurt Beckett, Director, External Affairs
Mike Merritt, Local Government Affairs Manager
Geri Poor, Regional Transportation Manager
SUBJECT: Request for Port Commission Motion supporting Port participation in the
Alaskan Way Viaduct/Seawall Replacement Program (AWVSRP)

ACTION REQUESTED: 

Request the Port Commission to adopt a motion to direct and authorize the Port's Chief Executive
Officer to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the State of Washington in a form
substantially as attached in Exhibit A, affirming Port participation of not-to-exceed $ 300,000,000 in
the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program (AWVSRP), if, and to the extent that, the
Port of Seattle Commission authorizes funds for these purposes.
BACKGROUND: 
In January 2009, Governor Gregoire, Mayor Nickels and County Executive Sims recommended the
Alaskan Way Viaduct (Viaduct) be replaced by a bored tunnel along with other transportation
improvements and seawall reconstruction. Port CEO Tay Yoshitani participated in the announcement
and committed to work in partnership and pursue Port participation not to exceed $300 million to fund
critical port-related elements of the program, subject to Port of Seattle Commission (Commission)
approval.
Under the replacement program, the State would move SR 99 into a bored tunnel beneath downtown,
reconnect the street grid at the ends of the tunnel and remove the viaduct along the waterfront. The
State is responsible for managing the project and the environmental review. The City of Seattle (City)
would build a new Alaskan Way roadway funded by the State, build new public open space along the
waterfront once the viaduct is removed, improve other city streets and replace the central seawall.
King County (County) would seek new funding to invest in expanded transit service. The City and
County are responsible for managing these projects, and their environmental review.
On April 24, 2009, the Washington State Legislature approved the deep-bore tunnel concept for the
replacement of the Viaduct. The state's maximum contribution for the AVWSRP will be $2.4 billion,
with up to $400 million financed with toll revenue, for a total of $2.8 billion.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
February 4, 2010
Page 2 of 3

During 2009, the bored tunnel alternative has progressed into preliminary design and environmental
review. The program is led by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in
partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the City, the County and the Port. In addition,
the 2007 "Moving Forward" projects are under construction. Working groups are meeting to review
design concepts at the proposed tunnel's south and north portals, and the City has formed a Central
Waterfront Partnerships committee.
On October 24, 2009, Mayor Nickels and Governor Gregoire signed a Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) that details investments in the SR 99 corridor, city streets, a new Alaskan Way, Mercer and
Spokane streets, the waterfront promenade, and central seawall. The MOA outlines the City's program
obligation of $927 million, and includes accountability for projects and implementation roles.
In a continuation of the Commission's public sessions and discussion regarding the AWVSRP, the Port
formalized request for public comments. On January 28th, 2010, a proposed draft MOA between
WSDOT and the Port was posted on the Port's website with a request for public input. On January 29th,
the Port also issued a press release asking for public input.
PREVIOUS COMMISSION REVIEW: 
After the March 2007 announcement of the Collaborative Process, the Port CEO voiced our business
interests to the Mayor, Governor and County Executive. Maintaining system capacity, freight mobility,
access to waterfront businesses and the seawall's function are critical to the Port. As important,
construction must be planned to mitigate impacts and support Port tenants and other private businesses.
In August 2007, the Commission reviewed and commented on the six Moving Forward projects and an
overview of the central waterfront Collaborative Process.
In August 2008, the program team presented the guiding principles and measures, and eight hybrid
scenarios for Commission review and discussion. In advance and in response, Port staff summarized the
discussions between the program team and the Port, including the Commission's consistent statements
about our overarching tenets to maintain or enhance: system functionality, complementary system
upgrades, freight mobility, access to Port and other waterfront properties (including provision for growth
in business activity) and the seawall's function. These tenets must be measured both for the final design
concept and for its construction impacts.
In December 2008, the Commission heard from Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, and reviewed and
commented to the program team about the scenarios' performance on the guiding principles and
measures. On December 16th, the Commission passed a motion recommending to the State, City, and
County that a Subsurface Hybrid option be retained for further study as part of the Viaduct and Seawall
Replacement Program.
On January 6, 2009, Port staff updated the Commission on the anticipated process for the final
recommendation, and on January 27, 2009, Port staff reviewed Viaduct replacement program issues and
benefits for the Port, freight mobility and the regional transportation system.
On March 10, 2009, the Viaduct Program Team briefed the Commission on the Bored Tunnel Hybrid,
particularly with regard to the north portal and freight connections. After the briefing, the Commission

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
February 4, 2010
Page 3 of 3

also hosted a Policy Roundtable with key Port customers and stakeholders to discuss the Viaduct
Replacement Program.
On January 5, 2010, Port staff and the Alaskan Way Viaduct program team representatives presented an
update on project design, early action construction and stakeholder involvement, and project benefits
and areas of concern for the Port. The State requested a Memorandum of Agreement to memorialize the
Port's support for the program, including Port participation not to exceed $300 million.
On January 12, 2010, the Commission hosted a Policy Roundtable to discuss the Viaduct Replacement
Program with Port customers and stakeholders.
On February 2, 2010, the Commission reviewed a draft MOA proposed by Port and State staff, heard
public testimony and received letters and emails about the proposal, and discussed potential revisions to
the draft MOA.








Attachments:
Motion Supporting Port Participation in the AWVSRP
Proposed Memorandum of Agreement between the Port of Seattle and the State of Washington