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ANCHOR: Another voice speaks up in support of  the deep-bore tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and this time it's from east of the mountains. KOMO's Marina Rockinger has more.

MARINA ROCKINGER: Each week, 40,000 pounds of apples, pears and cherries gets trucked from central Washington to the Port of Seattle, then sent around the world. Keith Mathews, with the Yakima Valley Fruit Growers and Shippers Association, says he supports the plan to dig a tunnel.

KEITH MATHEWS: The deep bore tunnel project, as planned, is underground, and doesn't disrupt surface streets. 

MARINA ROCKINGER: He says the surface options would cause major congestion and affect business.

KEITH MATHEWS: Not only is that a huge amount of money for the growers of central Washington, but that's also, in general, very high-dollar business. So it's really important to have that be sustained for us.

MARINA ROCKINGER: The state senate already supports a bill to fund the tunnel, and the House is expected to vote this week. Marina Rockinger, KOMO 1000 News.

MORE: "Fruit Growers Urge Deep Bore Tunnel Optiion For SR 99," Cascadia Prospectus, 4/13/09

"Yakima Valley Growers And Shippers Support Viaduct Tunnel," Seattle P-I, 4/13/09