SEATTLE -- Plans to build a deep bore tunnel under downtown Seattle may have hit a roadblock from the federal government.
The tunnel that will replace the Alaska Way Viaduct is planned to go under the historic Old Federal Office Building, but the feds may not allow it.
Built in the early 1900's, the Old Federal Office Building, between Western Avenue and First, and Madison and Marion, is a landmark. It is the original site of the Great Seattle Fire in 1889.
"Any slight changes in ground movement, especially from a 58-foot boring machine, could cause significant problems," says Seattle City Council Member Mike O'Brien.
The Washington State Department of Transportation can't bore under the Federal Building without permission from the federal government. The tunnel would run directly beneath or through the foundation piers that support the building.
In letters to the state from the General Services Administration, the feds are concerned about the support piers. GSA writes, they "would place this historic building and its occupants in permanent jeopardy."
In an April letter, GSA went so far as to prohibit WSDOT from entering the property. "We will not be granting any further access to the federal property to the project team, their contractors, or possible bidders," they wrote.
WSDOT'S tunnel manager, Ron Paananen, says the problems can be mitigated.
"There are ways to do things to the soil in advance so the tunneling won't effect it at all," he says.
The state says boring under the Federal Building is the safest route for the tunnel. Negotiations with the feds are continuing.
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