Watch the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project on YouTube

The Washington State Department of Transportation has a YouTube channel dedicated to the big construction project that has dominated the Seattle Waterfront for the past couple of years. Here you’ll find animated videos of how Bertha the world’s largest tunnel boring machine works, loving goodbyes to the old viaduct which the new tunnel will replace, and milestones throughout the project. Above is a video showing Mario driving a go-cart through a simulation WSDOT originally posted of a temporary route for SR 99.

As we’re learning about what’s really blocking Bertha the Tunnel Boring Machine, you may want to get caught up on what Bertha is doing underneath Pioneer Square and why she’s digging a 2-mile tunnel underneath Downtown Seattle. Visit Milepost 31, the information center dedicated to the area’s history and the technology used in the tunnel boring machine. It’s located in Pioneer Square and tours of the nearby launch site are held regularly, as well as a Speaker Series on First Thursdays. There’s also a fabulous historical website called ViaductHistory.com through which visitors can explore the history of the SR 99 viaduct and surrounding neighborhoods. You can even follow Bertha on Twitter!

Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Update – September 2013

Milepost 31 speaker series – Learn about the buildings that support the tunnel systems

 

Scale Bertha model at Milepost 31 in Pioneer Square

The new SR 99 tunnel’s vital functions – safety, lighting and ventilation systems – will be controlled from buildings located at both ends of the tunnel. Crews have already begun construction of the building at the south end just to the east of the tunneling machine’s launch pit. Join us for the next speaker series to learn about these sophisticated buildings, how they are sustainably designed, and what the completed structures and their surroundings will look like.

 Thursday, Sept. 5

6 to 7 p.m.

Milepost 31

211 First Ave. S., Seattle

Admission is free.

 After the talk, be sure to leave enough time to explore the rest of the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square. Milepost 31 is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and stays open until 8 p.m. on First Thursdays. Free parking is available for First Thursday art walk patrons in Pioneer Square. Please visit www.FirstThursdaySeattle.com for more information about participating garages.

And don’t forget you can track Bertha’s journey to Seattle on Twitter by following @BerthaDigsSR99.

 

Waterfront Seattle: Street + Transit Update

2013_0626_Street+Transit_Image

On June 26, join the City of Seattle and our community partners for an interactive update on Alaskan Way design and options for waterfront transit. Building on more than two years of community input, the project team will share street design and local waterfront transit updates for community feedback. Please join us on Wednesday, June 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Washington State Convention Center, Room 3A. Event is free and open to the public. For additional information or to RVSP, visit waterfrontseattle.org, email info@waterfrontseattle.org or call 206-499-8040.

 

STREET + TRANSIT UPDATE (PDF)

Join us on Wednesday, June 26, for an interactive update on Alaskan Way design and options for waterfront transit.

Building on more than two years of community input gathered during conceptual design, the project team will share street design and local waterfront transit updates for community feedback. The event is free and open to all – see you there!

 

Street + Transit Update
Wednesday, June 26

5:30 – 7:30 pm
Washington State Convention Center

800 Convention Center, Room 3A

Event is free and open to the public.

Click here to RSVP.

Find directions here.

 

Questions or comments?

info@waterfrontseattle.org

206.499.8040

waterfrontseattle.org

 

HOSTED BY: City of Seattle’s Departments of Transportation, Planning & Development, and Parks & Recreation

 

For special accommodations, including interpretation, please contact info@waterfrontseattle.org or 206.499.8040.

Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request for alternative formats through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.