Date:  Friday, June 20, 2008

Contact: Emily Fishkin, Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program, (206) 267-6821 (Seattle), (206) 437-5061 (cell)
Jugesh Kapur, WSDOT State Bridge Engineer, (360) 705-7207 (Olympia), (360) 790-4279

SEATTLE – Results from last week's inspection of the Alaskan Way Viaduct showed no structural damage or additional settlement of the columns between Columbia Street and Yesler Way. WSDOT completed work in April to strengthen the column foundations in that area.

Since the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, four columns between Columbia Street and Yesler Way have settled approximately 5.5 inches. An additional 1/8 inch of settlement occurred during the repair work, but the latest measurements show that this section of the Viaduct has stabilized.

“It appears that the repairs were successful in stabilizing these columns,” said Jugesh Kapur, WSDOT State Bridge Engineer. “The Viaduct had been settling incrementally between Columbia Street and Yesler Way since 2002.”

“This is good news, but the Viaduct is still vulnerable in an earthquake,” said Ron Paananen, WSDOT Urban Corridors Office Deputy Director. “The work done to strengthen the columns was a temporary repair, and we are still planning to take down the Viaduct in 2012.”

The column repairs were the first of six Moving Forward projects designed to repair or replace about half of the seismically vulnerable Alaskan Way Viaduct. WSDOT crews conduct visual inspections every three months to monitor the Viaduct’s condition and keep drivers safe. Full inspections and closures are every six months, with the next scheduled for October 18 and 19.

For more information, please visit the project Web page.

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