February 2012
Expert review panel
The panel, in their final report, found that the viaduct replacement program is on schedule and budget.
What you need to know about construction
New attraction in Pioneer Square
Visit our information center - Milepost 31.
Two projects are replacing the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct along Seattle’s waterfront.
SR 99 Tunnel Project
The viaduct's downtown waterfront section will be replaced with a bored tunnel beneath downtown Seattle. The tunnel will connect to the new SR 99 roadway south of downtown, and to Aurora Avenue in the north. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), WSDOT and the City of Seattle released the project's Final Environmental Impact Statement in July 2011, and FHWA signed the Record of Decision in August 2011. Initial construction activities began in fall 2011.
SR 99 South Holgate Street to South King Street Project
The southern mile of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, near Seattle's port and stadiums, is being replaced with a new roadway that has wider lanes, meets current earthquake standards and improves mobility for people and goods in the south of downtown area. FHWA and WSDOT released the project's Environmental Assessment in June 2008, and FHWA signed the Finding of No Significant Impact in February 2009. Road and bridge construction began in summer 2010.
Related projects
As part of the Alaskan Way Viaduct program, King County, City of Seattle and the Port of Seattle are planning street, transit, seawall and waterfront improvements. Visit related projects to learn more.
Why is WSDOT
pursuing this program?
The Alaskan Way Viaduct plays a major role in sustaining our economy and maintaining our citizens' ability to travel to and through Seattle. However, the viaduct, along with the adjacent seawall, is at risk of failure from earthquakes (with unacceptable risk to lives as well as property) and irreversible loss of use from age and deterioration. The structure must be replaced.
View a simulation (on YouTube, or watch Windows Media Player version) of what could happen to the viaduct if a strong earthquake were to shake the Puget Sound region.
We continue to monitor and inspect the viaduct as we move forward with its replacement. Crews installed a system designed to automatically close the structure in the event of a moderate to severe earthquake.
Our Partners
This program is led by WSDOT in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, King County, the City of Seattle and the Port of Seattle.
The End Result
This program will replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct section of State Route 99.
Project Benefits
- Safety. We will create a safe, seismically sound replacement for the viaduct.
- Traffic. Improvements to SR 99, city streets and transit will provide capacity in the transportation system for today and the future and improve access and mobility to and through downtown Seattle.
What is the project timeline?
We completed our first project - column safety repairs - in 2008, and crews moved electrical lines off of the southern mile of the viaduct in 2009.
Construction is underway to replace the south end of the viaduct between South Holgate and South King streets. This new roadway is expected to be complete in 2013.
Initial construction on the SR 99 tunnel began in fall 2011. The tunnel is scheduled to open to traffic in late 2015. Visit the program timeline for more information.
Financial Information
The Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement projects are estimated to cost $3.1 billion.
| Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement projects |
Budget (millions)* |
| SR 99 Tunnel Project |
$2,010.7 |
| SR 99 South Holgate Street to South King Street Project |
$394.8 |
| Central waterfront viaduct removal and new Alaskan Way |
$290.0 |
| Central waterfront construction mitigation |
$30.0 |
Other Moving Forward projects:
- Column safety repairs
- Electrical line relocation
- Battery Street Tunnel repairs
- Construction mitigation for south end viaduct replacement |
$187.2 |
| Program management |
$75.0 |
| Prior Environmental Impact Statement, right of way and design costs |
$163.7 |
| Total |
$3,151.4 |
| *All costs are in year of expenditure dollars. |
|
In 2010 Governor Gregoire established an Executive Oversight Committee to review cost and schedule issues related to the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program.
The 2011 Legislature directed WSDOT to form an Expert Review Panel to evaluate the program’s finance plan. The panel submitted their report and recommendations in February 2012.
State funding
The viaduct replacement projects have $2.4 billion in committed funding from the state gas tax and federal sources.
2011-2013 Budget:
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $1,513.1 million
- 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $198.1 million
- Other state transportation funds - $200 million
- Federal funds - $483 million
- Local funding - $57.2 million
To fill the funding gap, the 2009 Legislature stated the finance plan must include no more than $400 million in toll funding. The Port of Seattle also committed $300 million to the replacement program. Governor Gregoire signed an agreement with the Port in April 2010 for this funding.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Eric Balliet, Communications Officer
WSDOT
999 Third Ave., Suite 2424
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-805-2813
Email: viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov
Program Hotline: 1 - 888 - A W V - LINE (298-5463)
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