Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement ahead of schedule and on budget
Jul 17, 2012, 12:37 PM | Updated: 2:29 pm
The new bridges are up to current seismic standards, meaning they are able to better withstand an earthquake than the existing viaduct which has been torn down. (Image courtesy WSDOT)
(Image courtesy WSDOT)
Ahead of time and on budget – that’s the latest viaduct news being celebrated by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Demolition crews performed a “vanishing act,” removing the southern half of Seattle’s State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct.
On Tuesday, WSDOT announced that the $114.6 million contract to build the new SR 99 roadway near Seattle’s stadiums, known as the South Holgate Street to South King Street project, will be completed one year ahead of schedule and on budget.
“After the demolition, our contractor really stepped up and [was] able to make really, quick progress on putting up the second of two new bridges for highway 99 through the SoDo area,” said Travis Phelps with WSDOT.
The new bridges are up to current seismic standards, meaning they are able to better withstand an earthquake than the existing viaduct which has been torn down.
Finishing the SR 99 bridges early not only saves time and money for DOT, it gives the adjacent Atlantic Street overpass and tunnel contractors more elbow room to complete their work.
