Alaskan Way prior to construction of of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Exact date unknown.P-I File
Alaskan Way, Aug. 19, 1948, less than five years before completion of the viaduct.P-I File
Alaskan Way, Aug. 19, 1948.P-I File
The February 1950 photo caption read: Participants in city's condemnation proceedings for the Alaskan Way Viaduct examine model of the Aurora Avenue section of the project.P-I File
The Feb. 7, 1950 photo caption read: City Engineer R. W. Finke, left, gives go-ahead, and power shovel digs first scoop of dirt preparatory for construction of first unit of Alaskan Way Viadcut near Western Avenue and Battery Street.P-I File
The April 1950 photo caption read: This aerial view shows the start of construction on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, being built to relieve Seattle's serious traffic congestion.P-I File
Construction of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Jan. 28, 1951.P-I File
An area where the Alaskan Way Viaduct now stands, April 25, 1951.P-I File
Alaskan Way Viaduct construction, April 26, 1951.P-I File
Construction of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, April 26, 1951.P-I File
The May 1951 photo caption read: There's a real big show underway along the waterfront where the Alaskan Way Viaduct is being constructed, and these two 5-story-high cranes straddle railway switching tracks.P-I File
Alaskan Way Viaduct construction, May 24, 1951.P-I File
Alaskan Way Viaduct construction, June 25, 1951.P-I File
Alaskan Way Viaduct construction, Oct. 29, 1951.P-I File
The March 4, 1952 photo caption read: Casting concrete rails for guard fence. Work is done on job as construction advances.P-I File
The March 4, 1952 photo caption read: Rail traffic has been squeezed down to one track throughout construction period.P-I File
The March 1952 photo caption read: Looking north along the viaduct near Lenora Street where the lower deck carrying southbound traffic edges under the top northbound deck. Note the beauty that the giant concrete supports add to the viaduct.P-I File
The Battery Street Tunnel under First Avenue North, March 10, 1953.P-I File
Looking north on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, March 11, 1953.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, March 11, 1953.P-I File
Looking toward Elliott Bay on Battery Street between Second and First Avenue, March 12, 1953.P-I File
Alaskan Way Viaduct looking toward Elliott Bay from Second Avenue, March 12, 1953.P-I File
The April 4, 1953 photo caption read: Seafair Queen Iris Adams and Mayor Allan Pomeroy had something to laugh about Saturday as they bent every effort to cut the ribbon to open the Alaskan Way Viaduct.P-I File
Opening ceremonies for a section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, April 4, 1953.P-I File
Opening ceremonies for a section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, April 4, 1953.P-I File
Traffic moves over the Alaskan Way Viaduct after opening ceremonies, Saturday, April 4, 1953. The view is to the south.P-I File
The April 6, 1953 photo caption read: The Alaskan Way Viaduct at 4:45 p.m. on first day of regular operation.P-I File
The Oct. 5, 1953 photo caption read: This view of new subway south toward The Post-Intelligencer building shows retaining walls under construction on each side, the north portal of Battery Street subway and extent of excavation.P-I File
The Aug. 17, 1956 photo caption read: Steel poles, used for new luminous lighting on Alaskan Way were manufactured by Pacific Car and Foundry Company's Renton plant.P-I File
The Dec. 16, 1956 photo caption read: Here's how the extension of the Alaskan Way Viaduct looks from street level.P-I File
The December 1956 photo caption read: Stretching southward in this view is the partially completed addition to the Alaskan Way Viaduct which will extend from the end of the present viaduct to Holgate Street.P-I File
The southern portion of the Alaskan Way Viaduct in the 1950s with the Smith Tower at upper left. Exact date unknown.P-I File
The Feb. 17, 1959 caption reads: This is the scene where Olaf Edward Holman was killed yesterday while working on the Alaskan Way Viaduct.P-I File
The Sept. 1959 photo caption read: Seafair Queen Diane Gray applies the scissors with gusto yesterday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the Spokane Street extension of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. [Former Gov. Al Rosellini and then-Mayor Gordon Clinton are on the left and right, respectively.]P-I File
The Sept. 1959 photo caption read: A single lane of cars moves north on the Spokane Street extension of the Alaskan Way Viaduct yesterday after dedication ceremonies.P-I File
City Engineer W. E. Parker, right, stands beside damaged piling behind seawall along Alaskan Way, where teredos (wood-boring worms) ate into a number of pilings. Exact date unknown.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, Feb. 29, 1952.P-I File
Alaskan Way, March 2, 1950.P-I File
From left: E.H. Lindstrom, city engineer, Robert Artelle, south district city engineer, James Hayward, transportation committee chairman, James Robertson, assistant city engineer. Exact date unknown.P-I File
From left: E.H. Lindstrom, city engineer, Robert Artelle, south district city engineer, James Hayward, transportation committee chairman, James Robertson, assistant city engineer. Exact date unknown.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, Feb. 1, 1960.P-I File
Seawall damage at Washington Street and Alaskan Way in Seattle, Jan. 5, 1986.P-I File
The April 26, 1951 photo caption read: Workmen on new multi-million dollar Alaskan Way Viaduct place steel stringers in railing molding, in preparation for pouring of concrete.P-I File
Alaskan Way near the viaduct. Exact date unknown.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct is seen in the back of this picture from March 26, 1975.P-I File
The Nov. 1961 photo caption read: The first cars leaving the viaduct via Seneca Street.P-I File
The Feb. 1, 1960 photo caption read: Most motorists don't notice wires over high-speed freeways, such as this one over the new Alaskan Way Viaduct.P-I File
Alaskan Way, August 9, 1971.P-I File
The Jan. 8, 1962 photo caption read: Part of damage to the Alaskan Way Viaduct caused by the fall of part of the old Armory.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, July 15, 1982.P-I File
The August 14, 1977 photo caption read: 54,000 vehicles a day roar above the waterfront on the Alaskan Way Viaduct.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, Nov. 26, 1983.P-I File
The July 27, 1977 photo caption read: Critics say the viaduct blocks waterfront development.P-I File
Readers in 1982 complained that cars were going 70 mph instead of the 50 mph speed limit.P-I File
The Nov. 28, 1988 photo caption read: The Burlington Northern track will no longer be used by freight trains. All trains will be moved to the tunnel that runs under downtown Seattle.P-I File
Alaskan Way, Aug. 19, 1948.P-I File
The Oct. 29, 1957 photo caption read: This shows a section of the Alaskan Way viaduct extension where work is progressing on the second deck.P-I File
The Oct. 10, 1991 caption read: Officials say it would cost $250 million to update the 40-year-old Alaskan Way Viaduct.P-I File
The area that is now home to the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Aug. 19, 1948.P-I File
The Alaskan Way viaduct, curving southward along the waterfront from the Battery Street tunnel to the industrial area, Oct. 18, 1989.P-I File
Traffic going north on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Jan. 12, 2005.P-I File
Russ Morisch, 32, was homeless near the Viaduct on Christmas Day, 2005.P-I File
Scott McCleary, 54, lived in his car under the Viaduct on Christmas Day, 2005.P-I File
Construction workers, Sean Christy, left center in pit, John Ipsen, center in pit, and Paul Micenko, right, work the concrete on a new column foundation on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, April 14, 2008. The effort was the final phase of work to strengthen the column foundations between Columbia Street and Yesler Way.P-I File
Racers run along the viaduct during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, June 21, 2008.P-I File
An onramp to the Alaskan Way Viaduct at Columbia Street winds its way through downtown.P-I File
A view of the Seneca Street offramp of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, July 24, 2006.P-I File
Night traffic on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Dec. 18, 2005.P-I File
Gov. Chris Gregoire uses a chart while Seattle Mayor Greg Nickles and King County Executive Ron Sims listen to options for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct during an Olympia news conference, March 14, 2007. That month, Seattle voters didn't favor a tunnel or an elevated replacement for the existing viaduct, complicating an already messy struggle between city and state leaders. The struggle continues.P-I File
A pedistrian walks under the Alaskan Way Viaduct toward Coleman Dock on Oct. 26, 2007.P-I File
Traffic travels along the lower-deck of the viaduct at the beginning of the afternoon commute, Oct. 23, 2007.P-I File
Crews installed temporary support structures below the lower deck of the Alaskan Way Viaduct between Columbia Street and Yesler Way, February 11, 2008.P-I File
State Department of Transportation maintenance crews clean the viaduct, near Battery Street, Oct. 13, 2007.P-I File
Bridge inspectors give the viaduct a semiannual inspection on Oct. 13, 2007.P-I File
A view looking south from Belltown, April 25, 2007.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, reflected in a waterfront mud puddle, on March 9, 2007. Seattle's Bank of America Tower and Smith Tower are prominent in the background.P-I File
A man walks below the Alaskan Way Viaduct, near South Atlantic Street, July 24, 2006.P-I File
Participants run south in the northbound lanes of the Alaskan Way Viaduct during the St. Patrick's Day Dash, March 16, 2008.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, Oct. 19, 1989.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, Oct. 13, 1996.P-I File
An Alaskan Way Viaduct support column at South Washington Street leans outward and is secured with metal straps, April 1, 2001.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct as seen going west down Columbia Street, March 21, 2002.P-I File
The October 2009 photo caption read: Members of the Seattle City Council and Washington state legislators applaud as Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and Gov. Chris Gregoire sign a memorandum to replace the waterfront viaduct. A deep-bored tunnel is planned to replace the aging structure, a central issue in Seattle's upcoming mayoral election. Nickels, who was defeated in the primary, said some issues are worth losing an election over. "This is one of them," he said.P-I File
The Alaskan Way Viaduct is shown during a biannual inspection on Oct. 24, 2009.P-I File
A view of a newly opened up waterfront as work contiues to tear down the Alaskan Way Viaduct, July 11, 2019.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
A new temporary pedestrian bridge will get walkers from Marion Street to the ferry dock at Columbia Street and Alaskan Way once it opens in August. Photographed Thursday, July 11, 2019.Genna Martin/seattlepi.com
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Work continues on the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct near Union Street and Miners Landing, Monday, May 20, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
The Washington Department of Transportation began filling the 2,100-foot-long Battery Street Tunnel with rubble from the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct last week. The tunnel will eventually be filled with 74,000 tons of recycled rubble. Photograph taken May 15, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
The north end of the 2,100-foot-long Battery Street Tunnel is partially blocked off, Wednesday as contractor Kiewit begins filling it with rubble from the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The tunnel will eventually be filled with 74,000 tons of recycled rubble. Photograph taken May 15, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
Messages are left visible on the walls of the 2,100-foot-long Battery Street Tunnel, Wednesday as contractor Kiewit begins filling it with rubble from the demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The tunnel will eventually be filled with 74,000 tons of recycled rubble. Photograph taken May 15, 2019.Genna Martin/SEATTLEPI
The Alaskan Way Viaduct remains free of cars after it's final closure last week. The SR-99 tunnel that will be replacing it is set to open in early February. Photographed Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019.GENNA MARTIN/Genna Martin, Seattlepi.com
Construction continues on Alaskan Way and the viaduct, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Alaskan Way has been moved out from under the viaduct and almost all traffic has been redirected to the new, wider road west of the viaduct. The viaduct is slated to close permanently Jan. 11.GENNA MARTIN/SEATTLEPI.COM
Alaskan Way Viaduct construction circa 1952 from the Seattle Municpal Archives. credit Seattle Municipal ArchivesGRANT HINDSLEY (CURATED)/SEATTLEPI.COM
Extension of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, 1957: Initially terminating at the south end of Pioneer Square in 1953, the Alaskan Way "Sea Wall" -- as it was called by some opponents -- is 60 percent complete in this photo.Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Most of the Alaskan Way Viaduct did not live to see its 60th birthday.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The final section of the 3.8-mile project by the Seattle waterfront, including the 2.2 miles of elevated highway, was the longest, covering the 2.2-mile stretch between Dearborn Street to just north of South Nevada Street. This section first opened to traffic on Sept. 3, 1959.
The first vehicle to cross the viaduct in its entirety was a 1908 Buick driven by Herbert Schoenfe, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported in its Sept. 4, 1959 edition.
The first section of the viaduct, between Pike and Battery streets, had opened over six years prior on April 4, 1953. It was the first of a three-part project that included the entire viaduct and the Battery Street Tunnel.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
When the first section of the viaduct opened in 1953, it was applauded. "The viaduct looms like a royal necklace across the bosom of the Queen City of the Pacific Northwest," the Seattle P-I declared in its issue published April 5, 1953.
A tale familiar to those who follow construction projects in the city, the initial opening of the first section happened after years of delay -- and at a higher price tag than initially anticipated. The viaduct was initially scheduled to begin construction in 1948 with an estimated cost of $5 million. It ended up costing over $8.1 million.
Costs on the southern extension of the viaduct exceeded $7.6 million.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Though applauded when it initially opened, it wasn't long before the elevated highway became the subject of criticism. It was considered an eyesore by many by the 1970s, and experts began questioning whether it would survive a strong earthquake.
Indeed, the viaduct was damaged after a 6.8 magnitude quake rocked Nisqually in 2001. That damage required repairs and crews inspected the viaduct twice per year to ensure its stability until it was replaced earlier this year.
Most of it has come down, with progress viewable in severaltime-lapsevideos released by the Washington State Department of Transportation. Rubble from the demolition is being used to fill the Battery Street Tunnel, the viaduct's development counterpart.
Though many saw the viaduct as an eyesore along the waterfront, it was also remembered fondly by those who drove along it. Waterfront views from the viaduct made for a pleasant drive. It was one of the only places where you could get a view of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains at once.
![The Sept. 1959 photo caption read: Seafair Queen Diane Gray applies the scissors with gusto yesterday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the Spokane Street extension of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. [Former Gov. Al Rosellini and then-Mayor Gordon Clinton are on the left and right, respectively.]](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/02/71/53/760561/4/ratio3x2_1920.webp "The Sept. 1959 photo caption read: Seafair Queen Diane Gray applies the scissors with gusto yesterday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the Spokane Street extension of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. [Former Gov. Al Rosellini and then-Mayor Gordon Clinton are on the left and right, respectively.]")
