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September 2006
In This Issue
New Report Shows Little Improvement with Retrofit
WSDOT recently released a new report that shows little promise for the latest proposal to retrofit the viaduct, which calls for making repairs instead of replacing the entire structure. An independent structural engineering firm concluded that the proposal to retrofit the viaduct makes some improvements, but doesn’t go far enough to ensure the public is safe during an earthquake. A retrofitted viaduct would be damaged beyond repair and may collapse in the event of a strong enough earthquake – experts predict there is a one in ten chance of this earthquake happening in the next 50 years.
Retrofitting the viaduct is also not a good investment. To meet modern earthquake standards, we estimate that a full retrofit would cost between 80 and 90 percent of what it would cost to replace the viaduct. Even though it would require nearly the same amount of money, it would not last as long, and it would not provide wider lanes and shoulders to keep traffic moving.
WSDOT understands the urgency of replacing the viaduct as quickly as possible. Retrofit seems like an easy solution, but the risks to public safety would still be there. To learn more, visit the project Web page on the retrofit proposal.
Viaduct Inspection and Closure
Rescheduled for October 14 and 15
The next inspection of the Alaskan Way Viaduct has been rescheduled for October 14 and October 15. Since the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake, bridge engineers and inspectors monitor the viaduct every three months and conduct full inspections every six months to check for further deterioration or substantial changes in the viaduct’s condition.
The inspection and public tour was moved to October to avoid travel delays due to public events scheduled the weekend of August 19 and 20. We expect that a viaduct closure will be less inconvenient for drivers in October based on the scheduling information we have today.
If you would like to attend the morning tour on Saturday, October 14, please send an e-mail or leave a message on our project hotline at (206) 269-4421. Please remember that for safety purposes, no children will be allowed on the tour. In mid-September, we will send additional details to those on the RSVP list.
Curious About Construction?
More Details Released for Residents and Drivers
You can now find new information on our Web site about potential strategies to manage traffic and help keep downtown open for businesses, residents, and tourists during construction. The reports outline many of the potential strategies that WSDOT and the City of Seattle are considering to minimize impacts on commutes and to keep downtown livable during construction. The potential strategies range from a new off-ramp for buses and drivers from the Spokane Street Viaduct, to an extended bus-only lane on southbound Aurora Avenue. Analysis of these strategies is ongoing. We look forward to your input to help us refine these ideas into a comprehensive mitigation strategy.
A Look Ahead: Supplemental Draft EIS Public Hearings
Please join us in September at one of four public hearings on the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS). The SDEIS updates the 2004 Draft EIS and provides new information about the project. It was released on July 24, 2006 and the public comment period will run through September 22, 2006. We want to know what you think about the construction tradeoffs and design changes presented in the document.
Oral comments can be provided to a court reporter at any of the following four public hearings:
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September 7, 2006: Downtown Seattle Plymouth Congregational Church
1217 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
4 – 7 p.m. |
September 12, 2006: West Seattle Madison Middle School
3429 45th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98116
5 – 8 p.m. |
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September 13, 2006: Ballard
Ballard Community Center
6020 28th Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98107
5 – 8 p.m. |
September 14, 2006: Downtown Plymouth Congregational Church
1217 6th Avenue Seattle, WA 98101
4 – 7 p.m. |
Email your comments or mail them to:
Kate Stenberg
WSDOT, Environmental Manager
Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project
999 Third Ave, Suite 2424
Seattle, WA 98104
The lead agencies will respond to all official comments in the Final Environmental Impact Statement, to be published in late 2007.
See the latest list of events and read about past events.
Help Continue Planning Washington’s Transportation Future
Over the past year Washington’s business owners, elected officials, tribes, transportation planners and others have participated in helping to update the state’s 20-year transportation plan (2007 to 2026). Now the Washington State Transportation Commission wants to hear from the people who use the system. A public outreach event is coming to Seattle next week.
• Date: Wednesday, August 23
• Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Place: Seattle Public Library, Central Branch (1000 4th Ave., Seattle)
Two presentations will be made at this event, at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is the only chance for Seattle drivers to attend a nearby Washington Transportation Plan event before the public comment period ends on Sept. 1. You can also learn more about the plan and give feedback online.
About These Project Updates
Please forward this e-mail to others who might be interested. To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, click on the appropriate link on the WSDOT email updates homepage. Here, you will also find information on other WSDOT project mailing lists. For more information about the Viaduct project, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/viaduct.
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