Viaduct in Seattle is Coming Down - SPD - C Body Picture

[jrdudeman]

Big news in Seattle, WA. The 65 year old Alaskan Way Viaduct was closed for good on Jan 11, 2019. This is the second highest capacity vehicle route north - south thru and into downtown Seattle. The aging two level structure is old, sinking, and has major seismic hazard conditions. The viaduct is being replaced by a 2-mile tunnel under Seattle which will open in three weeks. The construction of the new tunnel has sometimes been compared to the Big Dig in Boston. The new tunnel has been many years in the making.


The Viaduct is legendary in Seattle. The Viaduct runs parallel to the Seattle waterfront, and has amazing views of the Elliot Bay, ferries, big wheel, Olympic Mountains etc. The view from the Viaduct is spectacular. However the Viaduct cuts off the waterfront from downtown Seattle. The removal of the Viaduct will create new opportunities for redevelopment of the waterfront.


With only one freeway route thru Seattle for the next three weeks, traffic is expected to be horrendous until the new tunnel opens.


I attached just a couple photos, one showing a fuselage Seattle Police car (SPD) in front of the Viaduct.


The viaduct will be missed.

 

[jrdudeman]

State DOT web page with Viaduct History

Alaskan Way Viaduct - History

 

[68 4spd Fury]

I've never been to Seattle but I can see what a difference that will make once it's gone. There's a similar issue in Syracuse, weather to remove or replace the elevated I81 through the city. Hopefully it will be torn down, it's a scar right in downtown and there's a highway that bypasses the city anyway.

 

[GJS]

Big news in Seattle, WA. The 65 year old Alaskan Way Viaduct was closed for good on Jan 11, 2019. This is the second highest capacity vehicle route north - south thru and into downtown Seattle. The aging two level structure is old, sinking, and has major seismic hazard conditions. The viaduct is being replaced by a 2-mile tunnel under Seattle which will open in three weeks. The construction of the new tunnel has sometimes been compared to the Big Dig in Boston. The new tunnel has been many years in the making.


The Viaduct is legendary in Seattle. The Viaduct runs parallel to the Seattle waterfront, and has amazing views of the Elliot Bay, ferries, big wheel, Olympic Mountains etc. The view from the Viaduct is spectacular. However the Viaduct cuts off the waterfront from downtown Seattle. The removal of the Viaduct will create new opportunities for redevelopment of the waterfront.


With only one freeway route thru Seattle for the next three weeks, traffic is expected to be horrendous until the new tunnel opens.


I attached just a couple photos, one showing a fuselage Seattle Police car (SPD) in front of the Viaduct.


The viaduct will be missed.



View attachment 246208 View attachment 246209

Crazy. I moved to Seattle from Connecticut when I was 18. Spent 3 of the most brutal years of my life there but met some really amazing people n got into all sorts of trouble. I miss that place sometimes.

Seattle is big on on crazy undertakings. Evidence being the Seattle underground and the fire that necessitated it, the Denny Regrade, I-5. I actually lived in two buildings that were Spared by two of the aforementioned activities.

The Franklin Apts. (seen in this video documenting the how, the before and after of the regrade at 14:40 on the left and slated now to become a glass tower) on 4th and Bell survived the Denny Regrade by about a block ... sadly fell victim to a slum lord and eventually was sold to become part of the "all-glass and cocaine" Belltown of today.

The Olive Tower on the corner of Olive and Boren which survived I-5 by a short hair at most. I slept 10 stories above that highway for 4 years. Didn't quiet down till about 2 am and revved right back up by 4.

Historically, I like that city. They had guts.

 

[hergfest]

I think that 73 pic is from the movie McQ. John Wayne vehicle he made after he had turned down Dirty Harry and wanted to recreate its success. Based in Seattle with some good vintage Seattle PD cars.

 

[rexus31]

I'm heading up there for work next week. The traffic should be fun.