The Impossible $4 Billion Viaduct

"U.S. Sen. Patty Murray said it will be 'very, very impossible' for the federal government to dedicate $1 billion for building a replacement for the Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct, presenting a major roadblock for Mayor Greg Nickels and others who support an ambitious $4.1 billion tunnel project."

"The only way to come close to the $1 billion request, Murray said, would be to make the viaduct the only project in all of Washington receiving federal funds. That, she said, would ignore necessary projects in Eastern Washington, replacing the state Route 520 bridge and continued funding for South Transit."