Large ships turn slowly

WSDOT hires engineering firm to study proposal for viaduct retrofit.

Of course the State has hired a consulting firm which has already stated that a retrofit wouldn't work. And the viaduct project manager says "We don't think it's a good idea." So how does one ensure that the firm doesn't simply do what the client -- WSDOT -- has announced it expects?

Here's the story from another local paper: Viaduct 'retrofit' to get new study.

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Btw, I don't think it takes very much away from the argument for the Retrofit to acknowledge that even with its great views for drivers, the Viaduct is hardly ideal. But it is there and we have a lot of other priorities besides spending more money on the Seattle CBD. So in that spirit, I think we ought to be think about how we could make a Retrofitted Viaduct an urbane and interesting place..

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Seattlest has its own spin on the eventual outcome: We'll Replace The Viaduct With A Road Despite The Vote.

Comments

[Gomez]

I think they heard you, David! :)

[Jesse McCann]

There is also a plan in NYC right now to clad the FDR drive viaduct along the East river in sound-deadening panels and build community spaces under the viaduct, combined with a waterfront esplanade.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/erw/index.shtml

[Holly B]

I favor the retrofit option. The tunnel and no-rebuild proposals do nothing whatsoever to "reconnect" downtown pedestrians with the waterfront. The major obstacle to foot traffic is not the viaduct, but the sharp elevation drop from 1st Ave. to Western Ave.

Speaking as a functional (not to be confused with a fun-filled weekend) pedestrian, I'd like to see one of the 1st Ave. cross-street ends extended as a grade-separated urban trail that passes through the viaduct air space and provides an unobstructed and level walk directly to a pedestrian observation plaza that would connect to an expanded waterfront sidewalk via elevators and a signature staircase or escalator design.

The seed of the pedestrian overpass idea already exists for anyone who troubles to look at the volume of foot commuters who routinely use the smallish pedestrian overpass that now extends from 1st Ave and Madison St to the Colman ferry terminal.