Gregoire�s statement about Referendum 1 approval

For Immediate Release: August 16, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement after Seattle voters approved Referendum 1:

�Seattle voters sent a message loud and clear with this vote � enough is enough. After 10 years of debate, hundreds of public meetings and technical studies, and thousands of public comments, it is time to move forward without delay.

�For many years, I have worked with leaders from the city of Seattle, King County, the Port of Seattle, and business, labor, and environmental groups to replace the seismically vulnerable Alaskan Way Viaduct. After thorough deliberation and extensive public outreach, we all agree that the tunnel is the right choice because it preserves capacity for the future, keeps SR 99 open during construction, and opens up the city�s waterfront for the public to enjoy.

�My thanks go out to the residents of Seattle who participated in the public meetings, submitted comments, and voted in this election. I also want to thank our elected leaders from the city of Seattle, King County and the Port of Seattle, along with their colleagues and staff for working with us every day to ensure this project moves forward. We are committed to this partnership and will continue to work with the public, the city of Seattle, King County, Port of Seattle, the contractors and many others to ensure that we complete the tunnel on time and on budget.�

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