SR 99 - Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement

Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending December 2004

Project Title & Location

SR 99 - Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project - Environmental Impact Statement/Right of Way/Design

Project Description
The existing seismically vulnerable Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall are both at the end of their useful life and at risk of sudden and catastrophic failure in an earthquake. The cost to replace in-kind this seismically vulnerable structure is between $2.0 and $2.4 billion. (This figure does not include the cost of replacing the seawall or work north of Battery Street tunnel. Necessary to protect public safety and maintain the transportation corridor.

Contractor/Consultant
Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas is the prime design consultant.

Recent Progress
The preferred alternative was announced on December 6, 2004.  The Tunnel alternative was selected as the preferred alternative with the Rebuild carried as an "insurance policy" in the event that funding for the tunnel cannot be secured in a timely manner.  Design of both options will begin immediately, with the expectation for both options to be brought to the 15% design level in the 05-07 biennium.   The decision on whether or not to supplement the DEIS with a closed corridor study will be made by the end of the year.  One right of way parcel was purchased and another is in negotiations.

Design Construction Impacts

Delays in selection of the preferred alternative have resulted in schedule slippage for the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Record of Decision and the start of major construction. 

Environmental Impacts / Compliance

The environmental team has continued to address comments received during the DEIS comment period.  Work has begun on developing a mitigation strategy for the FEIS.

Impacts to Traffic
During early preliminary engineering,  construction contract packages and staging will be studied, and traffic detour strategies will be investigated. 

Project Milestones Scheduled Attained Milestone Outlook
Start Project June 2001 June 2001 Nickel funding began July 1, 2003.
Draft Environmental Document Spring 2004  March 2004 Completed on time and on budget.
Right of Way (early) June 2005 Two of the three parcels have been acquired for the 2003-05 biennium to date.   The third parcel is on track for acquisition by June 2005.
 Determination of Preferred Alternative  Fall 2004  Dec. 2004

The preferred alternative decision was made December 6, 2004.

Record of Decision July 2007 The record of decision has now been delayed from mid 2006 to mid 2007 due to delays in selection of the preferred alternative. 
Project Cost Summary: Dollars in
millions
Percent
of Total

Planned vs. Actual Expenditures
(Total Project Cost)
Project Expenditure Chart

Preliminary Engineering 175.6 85.4%
Right-of-Way 30.0 14.6%
Construction 0.0 0.0%
Funded Project Costs 205.6 100.0%

Nickel funds included in above costs

177.0 86.1%

2005 Transportation Partnership Account

  For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Alec Williamson, WSDOT Project Engineer @ (206) 382-6366 Or E-mail: viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov