The Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to close on Jan. 11, with the new tunnel set to open about three weeks later. Once the tunnel opens, crews will begin the six-month process of demolishing the old elevated highway.GENNA MARTIN/SEATTLEPI.COM
Alaskan Way was once the main arterial along Seattle's busy waterfront (though part of it was originally Railroad Avenue). But by the 1950s it and other city streets were clogged with traffic, and city leaders had settled on building the viaduct to let drivers skirt the busy downtown streets. The viaduct first opened in 1953 and by the end of the 20th century, the raised portion of state Route 99 was carrying 110,000 cars per day through the city.
Now, part of it has already been torn down and the rest will follow once the tunnel to replace it is completed. But before we say goodbye to a piece of Seattle's skyline, look back at the viaduct over the years, from before its inception to its demolition.
Caption: 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 Viaduct 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
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
Alaskan Way, Aug. 19, 1948.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
The Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011. Crews had demolished part of the southern portion of the viaduct in February of that year, the first time that any portion of the structure had been torn down since it was built.WSDOT
The Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition operation continues in Seattle, October 2011. The highway, which normally carries 110,000 cars per day, is being partly demolished. The northern half is scheduled to reopen on October 31st.WSDOT
The Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition operation continues in Seattle, October 2011. The highway, which normally carries 110,000 cars per day, is being partly demolished. The northern half is scheduled to reopen on October 31st.WSDOT
The Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition operation continues in Seattle, October 2011. The highway, which normally carries 110,000 cars per day, is being partly demolished. The northern half is scheduled to reopen on October 31st.WSDOT
The Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition operation continues in Seattle, October 2011. The highway, which normally carries 110,000 cars per day, is being partly demolished. The northern half is scheduled to reopen on October 31st.WSDOT
The Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition operation continues in Seattle, October 2011. The highway, which normally carries 110,000 cars per day, is being partly demolished. The northern half is scheduled to reopen on October 31st.WSDOT
The Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition operation continues in Seattle, October 2011. The highway, which normally carries 110,000 cars per day, is being partly demolished. The northern half is scheduled to reopen on October 31st.WSDOT
The Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011.WSDOT
The Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011.WSDOT
John Lui uses a ground-penetrating radar after cracks and sinking roadways were discovered on South King Street, adjacent to the Alaskan Way Viaduct and an area where a pit is being dug to rescue the broken waterfront tunnel boring machine. It was not determined if the sinking was related to the digging nearby. Photographed on Thursday, December 11, 2014.JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray speaks to the media after cracks and sinking roadways were discovered on South King Street, adjacent to the Alaskan Way Viaduct and an area where a pit is being dug to rescue the broken waterfront tunnel boring machine. It was not determined if the sinking was related to the digging nearby. Photographed on Thursday, December 11, 2014.JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM
A crack and sinking roadway are shown after they were discovered on South King Street, adjacent to the Alaskan Way Viaduct and an area where a pit is being dug to rescue the broken waterfront tunnel boring machine. It was not determined if the sinking was related to the digging nearby. Photographed on Thursday, December 11, 2014.JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM
A man takes a photo of a crack and sinking roadway after they were discovered on South King Street, adjacent to the Alaskan Way Viaduct and an area where a pit is being dug to rescue the broken waterfront tunnel boring machine. It was not determined if the sinking was related to the digging nearby. Photographed on Thursday, December 11, 2014.JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray stands on a crack and sinking part of the roadway after they were discovered on South King Street, adjacent to the Alaskan Way Viaduct and an area where a pit is being dug to rescue the broken waterfront tunnel boring machine. It was not determined if the sinking was related to the digging nearby. Photographed on Thursday, December 11, 2014.JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM
Fast forward to 2015, and 1,000 feet of the tunnel to replace the viaduct has been dug, while the tunneling machine, Bertha, has been idle due to a breakdown since December 2013. Digging would resume in December 2015, and continues (albeit with a few more setbacks) today.
Work progresses on the Highway 99 waterfront tunnel in Seattle after it was announced that the tunnel boring machine Bertha will resume digging in November 2015. Photographed on Friday, July 17, 2015.
JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM
The lower deck is shown inside the Highway 99 waterfront tunnel in Seattle after it was announced that the tunnel boring machine Bertha will resume digging in November 2015. Photographed on Friday, July 17, 2015.JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM
Work progresses on the Highway 99 waterfront tunnel in Seattle after it was announced that the tunnel boring machine Bertha will resume digging in November 2015. Photographed on Friday, July 17, 2015.
JOSHUA TRUJILLO/SEATTLEPI.COM
Seattle already knew it would soon say au revoir to the Alaskan Way Viaduct early next year.
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The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced in September that the state Route 99 tunnel, the underground highway that will replace the viaduct through downtown, would finally open in early 2019.
That is, roughly three weeks after the viaduct is closed for good.
And when the tunnel does at last open in February, contractor Kiewit will set out to tear down the old elevated highway, a process expected to run about six months, according to details released Tuesday by WSDOT.
The work will take place in sections, with crews starting around the Columbia Street on-ramp and then tackling the northern sections of the viaduct before turning to the remaining southern portion.
In the video below, Kiewit's Dan Hemenway helps explain how the company will conduct the work:
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For each section, crews will effectively cover the viaduct with netting to capture pieces as demolition machines work to cut the highway to bits. At the same time, crews will spray water over the working areas to reduce the amount of dust raised by the work.
Equipment will be installed to monitor the disturbance created by the work and keep it within preset parameters, WSDOT said in its video.
Crews will have 30 days to tackle each roughly two-block section before moving to the next, Hemenway said in the video.
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SDOT hosts its own traffic map with cameras showing real-time traffic around the city
Officials said people will still be able to access the Washington State Ferry dock -- itself a construction site as crews conduct a multi-year overhaul of the aging pier -- but areas under the viaduct will be closed as work moves ahead.
Along with tearing down the viaduct, crews will also work to fill in the Battery Street Tunnel and rebuild Aurora Avenue North between Harrison Street and Denny Way.
All of this makes up part of what leaders have called the "period of maximum constraint," a period from 2019 to 2021 when a multitude of transportation and other projects stand to make travel in and around Seattle even more painful than usual.
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That period starts with the closure of the viaduct, once and for all, about three weeks ahead of the opening of the tunnel. WSDOT officials have said the closure is necessary to allow crews to connect the existing SR-99 with the northern and southern ends of the tunnel, and the three-week timeframe isn't hard and fast; extreme weather and other factors could delay the work.
The new tunnel won't be tolled when it first opens, but tolling could begin as early as summer 2019, with rates ranging from $1 to $2.25 for drivers with a Good To Go pass. Those without the pass will pay $2 more, and vehicles with more axles will pay higher rates as well.
![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.]")
