Viaduct Stakeholder Advisory Committee Gets Down to Business as Replacement Recommendation Nears

The Viaduct Stakeholder Advisory Committee last met in late July, taking on the meticulous job of evaluating alternatives for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

After reviewing the eight replacement scenarios developed by the Washington State Department of Transportation, the DSA continues to insist on a solution which does not include a new elevated structure, which it believes is not in the best interest of Downtown businesses, visitors and residents.

Currently, six non-elevated options are under consideration.  Three of these scenarios include the expansion of existing surface streets, while the other three include tunnel or tunnel-like construction. The DSA Board is awaiting cost estimates, traffic modeling data, details on construction impacts and logistics details before committing its support to one of these remaining scenarios. This additional information is expected from the state in September or October.

The DSA has long advocated for the removal of the existing Alaskan Way Viaduct in favor of a non-elevated option that lends itself to a vibrant, accessible Waterfront. With the dedicated support of Board members working hand-in–hand with the Viaduct Stakeholder Advisory Committee, DSA is confident that just such a solution is possible.

For details on all of the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement options and notes on the Viaduct Stakeholder Advisory Committee meetings, please visit:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/library-meetingmaterials.htm

Be on the lookout for information about a public viaduct forum sponsored by the Seattle Department of Transportation in partnership with DSA to address the replacement scenarios in more detail later this fall.