GOP lawmaker revives debate over tab for Alaskan Way tunnel delays

Mary Bruno

Mary Bruno Jul 1, 2025

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>GOP lawmaker revives debate over tab for Alaskan Way tunnel delays</h1>
                <h2><p>Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, told The Seattle Times that he opposes a proposal to pay an extra $17 million for transit buses during the delayed construction of the Alaskan Way tunnel project. “The project is taking longer than it should have," Orcutt told the Times. "Should that cost</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/mary-bruno-crosscut-com/">Mary Bruno</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, told <a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/gop-lawmaker-doesnt-think-state-should-pay-to-keep-buses-running-through-tunnel-project/?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">The Seattle Times</a> that he opposes a proposal to pay an extra $17 million for transit buses during the delayed construction of the Alaskan Way tunnel project. “The project is taking longer than it should have," Orcutt told the Times. "Should that cost be borne on the state taxpayers’ dime? Or should it be borne by the city of Seattle or by the contractors?” In Orcutt's view, the latter two options are the way to go.</p><p>His objections stem from a clause in the original 2009 tunnel legislation, which stated: "Any costs in excess of two billion eight hundred million dollars shall be borne by property owners in the Seattle area who benefit from replacement of the existing viaduct with the deep bore tunnel."</p>
          </article>

Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, told The Seattle Times that he opposes a proposal to pay an extra $17 million for transit buses during the delayed construction of the Alaskan Way tunnel project. “The project is taking longer than it should have," Orcutt told the Times. "Should that cost be borne on the state taxpayers’ dime? Or should it be borne by the city of Seattle or by the contractors?” In Orcutt's view, the latter two options are the way to go.

His objections stem from a clause in the original 2009 tunnel legislation, which stated: "Any costs in excess of two billion eight hundred million dollars shall be borne by property owners in the Seattle area who benefit from replacement of the existing viaduct with the deep bore tunnel."

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By Mary Bruno

Mary was Crosscut's Editor-in-Chief and Interim Publisher. In more than 25 years as a journalist, she has worked as a writer, editor and editorial director for a variety of print and web publications,