May 2008
In this Issue:
- Now is the time to get involved - Attend a May open house
- Crews complete column repairs on-time, on-budget
- Looking ahead: Electrical line relocation to begin this fall
- Stakeholder Advisory Committee update - Next meetings on May 8 and May 22
Now is the time to get involved - Attend a May open house
We’re making stops around the city to get your comments about the viaduct. WSDOT, King County and the City of Seattle will hold three open houses in May to share our progress and the plan to take down the viaduct by 2012.
At the meetings, you will learn about:
- Central waterfront decision-making
- Column safety repairs
- Electrical line relocation
- Battery Street Tunnel upgrades
- South Holgate Street to South King Street viaduct replacement
- Keeping people and goods moving during construction
Visitors will be encouraged to give comments on new ideas for a central waterfront solution, including options for transit, surface streets, I-5, policies and management, and SR 99. Time will be set aside for formal public comments and a court reporter will be available for those who prefer to give verbal comments, rather than write their comments.
The open houses will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:
May 8
Seattle Center
Northwest Rooms- Lopez Room
305 Harrison Street, Seattle
May 13
Madison Middle School
West Seattle
3429 45th Avenue SW, Seattle
May 15
Adams Elementary School
Ballard
6110 28th Avenue NW, Seattle
Crews complete column repairs on-time, on-budget
A major milestone will be reached on May 3, when repairs to strengthen four viaduct columns between Columbia Street and Yesler Way are completed. This work is the first of six Moving Forward projects to repair or replace about half of the viaduct while a decision is reached for the central waterfront.
Construction crews encountered several challenges while completing this project. Because the viaduct was constructed on fill soil, crews had to drill through loose dirt comprised of old concrete debris, railroad ties and old pilings from timber trestles. Crews also had to carefully avoid existing utilities that lie beneath the surface.
Concrete for the last column footing was poured on April 14, and crews are working diligently to restore the area’s landscaping, parking stalls and drive lane. The area will reopen to the public by May 3.
Looking ahead: Electrical line relocation to begin this fall
Work starts this fall to relocate electrical lines on the south end of the viaduct.
This project will relocate the utility lines that are currently attached to the viaduct’s lower deck. The lines will be moved to underground locations east of the viaduct between South Massachusetts Street and Railroad Way South. Relocating these lines now will better protect downtown’s power supply in the event of an earthquake, and will help us prepare for taking down the viaduct south of South King Street.
Most of the work will take place on WSDOT-owned property, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Alaskan Way South and First Avenue South will remain open throughout construction. However, occasional one-lane closures under the viaduct and on Railroad Way South, South Dearborn Street, South Atlantic Street, South Royal Brougham Way and Colorado Avenue South will be necessary to complete this project. Stadium event schedules will be considered when scheduling lane closures, and minimal night work is anticipated.
We will continue to work with the Pioneer Square community, waterfront businesses and freight groups to help minimize construction effects on local residents and businesses. The program team recently held a South Downtown Projects Preview to inform the community about upcoming work near Pioneer Square and SODO, and future events will be promoted through these e-mail updates and our Web site.
More information about the Electrical Line Relocation project is available on the program Web site.
Stakeholder Advisory Committee update –
Next meetings on May 8 and May 22
The latest monthly Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting was held on April 24. This committee of 30 community members is providing input to help agency officials develop a recommendation for the viaduct’s central waterfront by December 2008.
During the meeting, Program Director Ron Paananen, WSDOT, and Deputy Director Bob Powers, SDOT, gave a presentation on potential SR 99 options for the central waterfront. These options included below-ground, surface, and above-ground solutions. Presentations and meeting materials are available online.
The next Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting will be held on May 8 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the Seattle Center Northwest Rooms (Fidalgo Room), 305 Harrison Street, Seattle. Please note that this meeting will be held in addition to the committee’s regular monthly meeting on May 22 at the Puget Sound Regional Council Board Room, 1011 Western Ave., #500, Seattle.
Additional information about the central waterfront can be found online.
About These Updates
Please forward this e-mail to others who might be interested. To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, send an e-mail to viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov. You may also subscribe or unsubscribe by following the appropriate link on the WSDOT email updates homepage. Here, you will find information on other WSDOT project mailing lists. For more information about the Viaduct program, visit our Web site.