Seattle waterfront tunnel

Bertha, world's largest boring machine, arrives in Seattle

Martha Kang and Keith Seinfeld — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:01:51 +0000

Bertha, the world's largest tunnel boring machine, has finally arrived in Seattle's Elliott Bay.

Preparedness and special equipment make Seattle tunnels safe, say fire chiefs in Satsop

Bellamy Pailthorp — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:44:37 +0000

This week, the Seattle Fire Department has been in training for what might be a nightmare scenario: the possibility of fire inside a deep-bore tunnel. A technical rescue team has been practicing at the unfinished nuclear power plant in Satsop, west of Olympia.

About a dozen firefighters are in a huddle at the base what was designed to be a cooling tower. It’s been re-purposed into one of the nation’s premiere training grounds for urban firefighters.

'Ratpocalypse:' Seattle tunnel dig could bring rats to surface

The Associated Press — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:21:02 +0000

The big dig along the Seattle waterfront that will build a traffic tunnel could also displace scores of rats and cockroaches. KOMO News reports that pest control experts say the rats will flee the massive construction project for quieter homes and food. That means buildings around the dig could see more rats.

Public transit during viaduct replacement likely to fall short

Charla Bear — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:50:43 +0000

A plan to use public transit to offset traffic congestion while the new Highway 99 tunnel is built in Seattle is expected to run out of money – long before the project is completed.

Update: Viaduct to close for 9 days to put up detour connections

Bellamy Pailthorp — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:45:28 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-984009.mp3

It’s the beginning of the end for the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Demolition work will shut down the double-decker highway for 9 days about two months from now, from October 21 – 31. According the state Department of Transportation, it’s the longest full closure of a Seattle area highway the city’s ever dealt with.

Voters green light Seattle's waterfront tunnel

KPLU News Staff — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:01:38 +0000

The results are in for the primary election and the majority of Seattle voters have given the go-ahead to a tunnel that would replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct along the city's waterfront. Nearly 60% of the voters said yes – bringing over a decade of debate to a close.

Gregoire says Spain sold her on deep-bore tunnel

KPLU News Staff — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:44:48 +0000

If you question whether the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle should be replaced with a deep-bore tunnel, a trip to Madrid, Spain, could clear up some uncertainties. That’s all Governor Chris Gregoire said it took to confirm her decision.

Seattle can vote on viaduct tunnel, judge says

Bellamy Pailthorp — Fri, 20 May 2011 23:11:52 +0000

Seattle voters will have a chance to chime in again on the planned deep-bore tunnel that's supposed to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

That's the word from Judge Laura Middaugh who this afternoon sided with the supporters of a referendum, saying her goal is to make sure that the voices of the people are heard when a policy decision is made. She said she had not been able to find any precedents in case law to support her stance.

Judge clears way for tunnel vote

Gary Crawford — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:45:49 +0000

A vote on whether to build a tunnel to replace the aging Alaskan Way viaduct can take place, a King County Judge ruled today (Friday).

King County Superior Court Judge Laura Middaugh said some parts of the agreements that cover utilities, insurance, right-of-way and other issues can be in the referendum but others can't. She'll hear arguments next Friday on which parts could be included in an August vote and whether she has the authority to partially rewrite language in the referendum.

Legal questions confront proposed Seattle referendum on tunnel

Liam Moriarty and KPLU News Staff — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:06:07 +0000

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes has filed a legal challenge to a citizen referendum on Seattle's proposed deep-bore waterfront tunnel.

Holmes has asked a judge to rule on whether the construction agreements between the city and the state that targeted by the referendum are “administrative actions” which can't be overturned by the vote.

Viaduct closure; Emergency system triggered by seismic sensors

Bellamy Pailthorp — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:22:49 +0000

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has been calling for a closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct as soon as possible. That's because it's an earthquake hazard. Other leaders think that's an over-reaction, since a new tunnel is already in the works.

But the Viaduct will close this weekend for its semi-annual inspection. Drivers will have to re-route their travel for two days. Routine maintenance on the old structure was scheduled long before the earthquake in Japan.

McGinn: Take the viaduct down by next year

Liam Moriarty — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:41:56 +0000

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn says he thinks the city’s waterfront viaduct poses an earthquake risk and should be taken down next year.

That's a good four years before the viaduct's planned replacement -- a deep-bore tunnel under downtown -- would be ready.

Seattle City Council overrides mayor’s tunnel veto, groups push for public vote

Liam Moriarty — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:24:21 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-955172.mp3

If you’re waiting for the final chapter in the saga of Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement, don’t hold your breath. The latest action by the city council has triggered an effort to put the question to the voters again.

What should Seattle’s waterfront look like? Public event seeks ideas

Charla Bear — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:05:52 +0000

With the Alaskan Way viaduct scheduled to be demolished in 2016, Seattle area residents are dreaming up possibilities for connecting the waterfront to the city. For decades, the viaduct has largely blocked Elliott Bay, unless you're driving on it or looking out of a high rise building.

Seattle City Council approves tunnel deals

Charla Bear — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:41:04 +0000

Despite threats of a veto by Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, the city council approved agreements today that make some city departments partners in a plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep bored tunnel. Supporters say making land-use, utility and design commitments to the state moves the controversial project forward.

The council voted 8-1 in favor of the agreements. Mike O'Brien is the sole councilman who opposed them.