Making history: Thousands gather to celebrate opening of new SR-99 tunnel

The air in Seattle buzzed Saturday as tens of thousands of people crowded from South Lake Union to SoDo and said hello to the new state Route 99 tunnel -- and bid one final farewell to the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Crowds bopped along as they walked to upbeat songs like "Teenage Wasteland" and "Tequila" blasting over stereo systems. Some donned numbers from the morning's 8K over the viaduct and back through the tunnel. Others wandered through exhibits, such as a tapestry showing the size of Bertha, the tunnel-boring machine tasked with drilling out the hole for the new tunnel, while munching on snacks purchased at food trucks lining the streets.

Meanwhile, crews could be heard in the background continuing the work necessary to open the new tunnel in time for Monday morning's commute.

RELATED: The end of 'viadoom' is near: New SR-99 tunnel set to open Monday

The project faced years of setbacks and wound up being millions of dollars over-budget. Regardless, one thing was clear to all 99,000 people attending Saturday's various events: This is a historic moment for the Emerald City.

"There's only one first day," Teri Smith, a one-year resident of Seattle, said. She and her friends Cheryl DeBoise and Guyanna Young posed in front of the "exit" signs inside the south end of tunnel after Saturday's ribbon-cutting ceremony.

DeBoise and Young have lived in the city for decades, first locating in the city in 1983 and 1980, respectively. DeBoise enjoyed the views from the viaduct as she drove home from the airport, but she said she's excited to see how taking the viaduct down will help connect downtown.

RELATED: DeMay: As the Alaskan Way Viaduct closes, so closes a chapter of Seattle history

Young said she was sad to see the viaduct go, but wanted to visit the new tunnel.

"I think it's historical," she said.

"We've been watching this story for years now," DeBoise said.

Opening up the waterfront will bring Seattle back to its cultural roots while propelling it to the future, officials said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Virginia Cross, chairwoman of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and Leonard Forsman, chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, explained how the Seattle waterfront has ties to their histories. Building a vibrant waterfront will honor

King County Executive Dow Constantine related the opening of the tunnel to the Athenian Oath -- in which those who take it promise to "transmit this city not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us."

ALSO: A timeline of the Alaskan Way Viaduct's checkered history:

Whether you say a fond farewell or good riddance to the viaduct, it is clear that the city is moving forward. That's why Joel Yeager, who lives in Bothell but works in Seattle, brought his young children to see the tunnel and viaduct. They were lined up with a crowd of hundreds waiting to enter the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel and walk onto the viaduct one last time.

"I don't know if they'll appreciate the impact now, but someday, maybe," he said. "It's good for them to understand how things get built in the city."

RELATED: 'The safest place to be': Why the new SR-99 tunnel will withstand large earthquakes

He said he is excited for the tunnel, both because of the aesthetic possibilities along the waterfront and the decrease in noise for pedestrians in the area. The tunnel will also be safer in the event of an earthquake.

Indeed, Gov. Jay Inslee said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony that finishing the tunnel means the state of Washington has "won the ultimate race against time." It was complete before the next big earthquake hit.

Like it or not, the tunnel is finally here, and it's set to open in time for Monday morning's commute. Later this month, crews will begin tearing down the viaduct. In a few months, the tunnel will be tolled.

Producer Natalie Guevara can be contacted at natalie.guevara@seattlepi.com. Follow her on Twitter. Find more from Natalie on her author page.