The Alaskan Way Viaduct and Battery Street Tunnel were built as an expressway bypass of then-US 99 to take traffic off the downtown streets in Seattle. Both the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Battery Street Tunnel were removed in 2019 for a new tunnel to replace both facilities.
The viaduct was removed because of both seismic concerns after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 destroyed the similar Cypress Street Viaduct (I-880) in California, as well as the viaduct being a visual obstruction to the waterfront that Seattle planned on revitalizing for tourism. The Battery Street Tunnel was filled in because it was functionally replaced by the new tunnel.
Alaskan Way Viaduct
The start of the viaduct, circa 2016.
As a result of tunnel work, a portion of the original Alaskan Way Viaduct was removed. A stub was left behind, as shown with the barriers.
Look at how tight those signs are for the exits. In addition, it is clear how the viaduct visually separates the city from the water.
Is THRU TRAFFIC really the best control city for WA 99 southbound you can think of? There's Tukwila to sign.
The single-decker portion of the viaduct. This is to prepare for entering the Battery Street Tunnel.
Battery Street Tunnel
In the tunnel.
The northern portal of the tunnel.
The original configuration of WA 99 as it enters the tunnel from the north.
No comments:
Post a Comment