This timeline highlights important program decisions and upcoming construction activity. Visit current work to check on our progress.
Program history and the 2009 Project History Report (pdf 4.5 Mb) provide more detailed descriptions of past milestones.
Program timeline
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| 2001 |
Nisqually earthquake damages Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Begin viaduct replacement project.
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| 2002 |
Begin conceptual engineering for replacement.
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| 2003 |
Select environmental review alternatives.
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| 2004 |
Release Draft Environmental Impact Statement with five alternatives.
State and City of Seattle identify cut-and-cover tunnel as preferred alternative.
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| 2006 |
Release Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement with two alternatives.
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| 2007 |
Seattle voters reject cut-and-cover tunnel and elevated alternatives.
Moving Forward projects begin, as planning continues on how to replace the viaduct's central waterfront section. The Moving Forward projects include viaduct repairs and replacement of the structure's south end.
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| 2007 - 2008 |
Repair viaduct columns between Columbia Street and Yesler Way.
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| 2008 |
State, King County and City of Seattle, with input from the public, reexamine options for viaduct’s central waterfront section.
Release Environmental Assessment for replacing the viaduct's south end between South Holgate and South King streets.
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| 2008 - 2009 |
Relocate electrical lines from the viaduct's south end.
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| 2008 - 2010 |
Make roadway and system improvements to keep people and goods moving during south end construction.
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| 2009 |
Governor, King County Executive, Seattle Mayor and Port of Seattle CEO recommend replacing the viaduct's central waterfront section with a bored tunnel beneath downtown, new waterfront surface street, transit investments, and downtown city street and waterfront improvements.
Issue Finding of No Significant Impact for viaduct's south end replacement.
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| 2010 |
Begin construction to replace viaduct's south end between South Holgate and South King streets.
Release second Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement that analyzes the bored tunnel alternative for replacing the viaduct's central waterfront section.
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| 2011 |
Release Final Environmental Impact Statement and issue Record of Decision. Begin construction of the viaduct's central waterfront replacement - the SR 99 tunnel.
Demolish and remove viaduct's south end and open new SR 99 bridge and construction bypass near the stadiums.
Begin construction of second SR 99 bridge in the footprint of the demolished viaduct.
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2012 (est.)
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Begin construction of new overcrossing at South Atlantic Street.
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| 2013 (est.) |
Begin tunnel boring.
Complete new SR 99 roadway south of downtown, between South Holgate and South King streets, and new bridge at South Atlantic Street.
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| 2014 (est.) |
Finish tunnel boring.
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2015 (est.)
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Open new SR 99 tunnel beneath downtown Seattle.
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| 2016 (est.) |
Demolish viaduct's downtown waterfront section - removal of Alaskan Way Viaduct is complete. |