The final piece of the Alaskan Way Viaduct along Seattle's waterfront was torn down this week, and now we're taking a look at the dramatic transformation of the waterfront.
There are buildings that once stood only inches from the concrete behemoth that now have a view of Puget Sound, and drivers are now traveling underneath the pavement instead of above it.
The demolition of the viaduct has taken nearly a year. It began in February and spanned 10 months.
On Thursday, workers plucked the final column from the ground near Lenora Street and Western Ave and laid it on its side at the worksite. A decorated Christmas tree sat atop the graffitied column during the demolition.
To celebrate the final portion being complete, the Washington State Department of Transportation released photos and videos this week showing before and after demolition began.
Viewers can see Northbound, Southbound, the battery street tunnel, and progress shots of crews removing the last pieces of the viaduct on Nov. 21, 2019, among other views.
Besides seeing it, there are a lot of people who want to touch it and have it - the Alaskan Way Viaduct, that is. There were so many requests, WSDOT figured out a way to let people take home their own commemorative piece of the concrete structure.
Friends of the Waterfront Seattle, a nonprofit teaming up with the city to help with the next phase of waterfront construction, is holding small concrete pieces of the viaduct in their office for anyone who wants a piece - free of charge.
Here’s how you can get a piece of the Alaskan Way Viaduct:
- Email Friends of Waterfront Seattle at info@friendsofwaterfrontseattle.org
- Address: 1400 Western Avenue (corner of Western Ave and Union Street)
- Public hours: Wednesday – Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
The rest of the rubble from the viaduct demolition was trucked away to help fill the old Battery Street Tunnel.
Now that the viaduct is completely gone, sights are now being set on the future of Seattle's waterfront.
Contractors with Waterfront Seattle began staging work last week to rebuild Seattle's central waterfront where the viaduct stood. Plans include building a park promenade and bike path, a new Marion Street pedestrian bridge, and a boat landing and beach at Washington Street. Construction on those projects is expected to continue through 2024.
