2 Alaskan Way Viaduct notes: Short one first, the tunnel plan (SB 5768) gets a public hearing tomorrow afternoon in the House Transportation Committee, 3:30 pm (it’s already passed the State Senate, but the House is considered to be a tougher crowd for this one). Second, WSDOT just sent word that it’s calling for bids on a key part of the first major viaduct-replacement project, the south section — read on:

Here’s the WSDOT news release:

WSDOT has issued a request for bids to further prepare for
removal of the southern mile of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. This project is
one of several contracting opportunities over the next several years to
remove the seismically vulnerable viaduct.

Construction will begin this June and will sustain an estimated 150
jobs. The first contract is expected to cost approximately $15 million.
A second contract, estimated to cost more than $300 million, will be
advertised this fall.

“This contract gets us one step closer to removing the viaduct, which
begins in earnest this fall,” said Paula Hammond, Washington
Transportation Secretary. “In addition, it will create jobs, which is a
top priority during these difficult times.”

The project is a safety priority because the southern mile of the
viaduct rests in unstable soil that could liquefy in an earthquake and
cause the viaduct to be permanently closed. The foundations of the
replacement structure will reach down into stable soil, making it more
resistant to large earthquakes.

“This contract begins construction on the new mile of SR 99 near the
sports stadiums,” said Grace Crunican, Seattle Department of
Transportation Director.

The new southern mile of SR 99 will have three lanes in each direction,
and will be a side-by-side road instead of today’s double-deck
structure. It will include new on- and off-ramps near the stadiums. A
new undercrossing at S. Atlantic Street will eliminate long backups that
now occur due to frequent rail crossings near the entrance to the Port
of Seattle’s Terminal 46.

“The Port supports tens of thousands of jobs in our region. Without
efficient roadways to move cargo, those jobs are in jeopardy,” said Tay
Yoshitani, Port of Seattle CEO. “A more reliable railroad crossing will
increase the port’s productivity and reduce congestion throughout the
area.”

Most of the work will take place on property near the sports stadiums
that is owned by the state. During construction, there will be
occasional detours and lane closures on surface streets in the area;
however movements and business access will be maintained and traffic on
the Alaskan Way Viaduct will not be affected.

King County will begin more than $30 million of new bus service over the
next three years to ease construction-related congestion associated with
the major road work to begin next year.

“Transit is a vital piece of this effort,” said Harold Taniguchi, King
County Department of Transportation Director. “The idea is to give
people options for their commute. With the state’s contribution we can
help keep traffic moving during this essential construction project.”

Governor Chris Gregoire, King County Executive Ron Sims and Mayor Greg
Nickels in January recommended replacing the central waterfront portion
of the viaduct with a bored tunnel beneath downtown, a new waterfront
surface street, transit investments, and downtown city street and
waterfront improvements. The central waterfront seawall will also be
replaced.