Jump to navigation Jump to search This article is about the former viaduct. The viaduct was built in alaskan king phases from 1949 through 1959, with the first section opening on April 4, 1953.
91,000 vehicles per day in 2016. The viaduct had long been viewed as a barrier between downtown and the city’s waterfront, with proposals to replace it as early as the 1960s. Questions of the structure’s seismic vulnerability were raised after several earthquakes damaged similar freeways in other cities, including some with the same design as the viaduct. The state and city governments considered several options, including a rebuilt elevated structure, a surface boulevard, and cut-and-cover tunnel, but could not compromise on a final choice. Downtown Seattle, the other being Interstate 5 to the east.
You can help by adding to it. The Alaskan Way Viaduct was originally built to carry a section of U. Construction on the viaduct began in February 1950 and was completed in stages between 1953 and 1959. The central portion, from Railroad Way to Elliott Avenue, opened on April 4, 1953.