Why are we pursuing this project?
Electrical lines are currently attached to the lower deck of the viaduct. The viaduct was built in the 1950s, and as the city has grown, so has the web of utility lines that weave around and under the viaduct. Relocating these utility lines now will better protect downtown’s power supply in the event of an earthquake, and must be completed before we take down the viaduct south of South King Street. |
We will move electrical lines to underground locations east of the viaduct between South Massachusetts Street and Railroad Way South. |
The work involves:
- WSDOT and Seattle City Light will relocate electrical lines that are attached to the viaduct to underground locations east of the viaduct between South Massachusetts Street and Railroad Way South.
- The project will begin in late 2008 and is anticipated to take approximately one year.
- Additional work will be needed to relocate some of the remaining lines from Railroad Way to Union Street and others from Railroad Way to electrical vaults on South Washington Street and Yesler Way. The exact location, method, and schedule for relocating these electrical lines will depend on the solution chosen for the viaduct’s central waterfront section.
What will construction be like?
- Relocating the electrical lines will require periodic closures of streets and some of the privately owned parking lots adjacent to the viaduct from approximately South Massachusetts Street to Railroad Way South.
- We do not anticipate any power outages for this work. The electrical systems are redundant. Even if one line must be shut down temporarily, it would not affect your power supply.
- WSDOT and the City of Seattle are working with the Pioneer Square community, waterfront businesses, and freight groups to determine how to sequence construction activities to minimize impacts on surrounding residents and businesses.
The construction fact sheet (pdf 55 kb) provides additional details about construction.
Environmental Review
We have determined that the South Massachusetts Street to Railroad Way South electrical line relocation project does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. Visit the Library to review the environmental checklist.
The end result: With the electrical lines relocated, construction in the south end can proceed as scheduled and downtown Seattle’s power supply will not likely be interrupted if the viaduct is severely damaged in an earthquake.
The white line shows the new electrical line alignment from South Massachusetts Street to Railroad Way South.
Updated April 2008