At above-linked Web page for this day's program, you can click on MP3 or Real Audio recordings. Cascadia Center's Bruce Agnew appears from 44:10 through 46:48 or you can listen to the edited MP3 here (right click to download/save file). Transcript follows.

Ross Reynolds (host): “We’re talking about the big missed news stories of the year. Bruce Agnew is Policy Director at Discovery Institute’s Cascadia Center. Bruce, what do you think has been the under-reported story of the year/”

Bruce Agnew: “Well I’m not sure there was a bigger news story this year than the (Alaskan Way) Viaduct (replacement) deep-bore tunnel. Certainly, it was the biggest issue in the mayor’s race. Yet there seemed to be precious little media attention to the difference between the deep-bore tunnel and the infamous Boston Big Dig, which was a much, much bigger, more complicated, multiple tunnel and bridge project. And later, there was no real media comparison to the tunnels completed here in Seattle, like the recently-completed Sound Transit Beacon Hill light rail tunnel, which came in on time and on budget. Certainly now, the media would do us all a favor comparing the difference between the Brightwater King County project (and the Viaduct replacement tunnel) in terms of (cost overrun) risk.”

RR: “I certainly saw some coverage. I think a think tank came out with a paper comparing the cost of the deep-bore tunnel to other tunnels in our area, and saying that it was going to cost a lot more than those tunnels.”

BA: “Well, and that’s the problem, when the media doesn’t look into reports from think tanks. We’re one ourselves, but I think there’s a major difference in scope and technology, and difficulty, between those tunnels. And looking at the technology, which has advanced dramatically in the last 10 years, this was really the reason the state decided to go with deep bore technology. But you know, there’s a healthy skepticism in the public about government’s ability to deliver these projects without major overruns. I think it’s the media’s responsibility to educate them about the relative risk between the projects, comparing and contrasting, and I think that would advance debate beyond the banty ‘Big Dig’ sloganeering we hear sometimes.”

RR: “I know you’re an advocate of the deep-bore tunnel option, is that right?”

BA: “Yes, we are.”

RR: “So, I have to ask you, isn’t that the same technology that’s being used at Brightwater, and there’s been a lot of problems with that tunnel?”

BA: “Yes, and without going into all the details, the Brightwater project is designed to be, to do a different thing than the deep-bore tunnel (to replace) the Viaduct. It’s got different soils, is about 30 miles long. King County went through a different procurement process...there’s major, major differences, and it would be helpful if the media would talk about the differences, and the different approach that King County is going to take from the state DOT. That would help educate folks about whether the risks are worth it.”

RR; “Hey Bruce, thanks for speaking to us. Bruce Agnew is Policy Director at the Seattle-based Discovery Institute’s Cascadia Center.”