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Roger's Home Journal
Roger's Home JournalI Dream of Fixing Some Really Big Problem Like the Alaskan Way Viaduct
By Roger Faris
Sep 19, 2000 -- Although merely a Home Repair Expert, I sometimes dream about fixing some big problem, such as transportation, which affects our whole community. I woke up this morning with the thought that repairing or improving our homes may be pointless if we can't get back to them after a trip across town.I'd like to solve the Alaskan Way Viaduct problem before pouring the milk on my breakfast cereal. The first step, with coffee in hand, is to separate facts from the fluffy flakes of fiction. I'll want to expose the kernels of truth, and this might require a tall glass of ost, I'll get together with a few thousand thoughtful citizens who will choose a plan of action, and we'll get the job done.
There are at least four competing ideas for dealing with the Viaduct problem. Probably the most popular one is to do nothing, and not worry about the consequence of a major earthquake. It's a delicious fantasy to believe that everything will be all right if we just keep enjoying that old roadway as it is. It seems to be working pretty well at getting cars and trucks from place to place, and those views of the water and mountains are quite a thrill. "Wheeee! This is soooo beautiful! Don't change a thing."
The fundamental fact is that we live in a region which has been, and will continue to be, shaken by powerful earthquakes. Local geologists and engineers are concerned that strong ground motion will arrive without any warning, destroy the Viaduct, and crush a lot of people under tons of concrete. I don't think we should be complacent about the death or maiming of our families and neighbors. The collapse of the Alaskan Way Viaduct would also cause gridlock in our overloaded highway system, and the fallout could include regional financial ruin.
A second approach is to retrofit the Viaduct to make it more likely to survive an earthquake. This would be expensive and difficult because of the age and type of structure, and the fact that it's supported on old wood pilings which are sunk into fill material and muck. Retrofitting, as challenging as it would be, makes more sense than trying to deny or ignore the problem.
A third concept is to tear down the Viaduct and replace it, in the same location, with something safer. This would be enormously expensive and cause a great deal of disruption during the long period of demolition and new construction.
The fourth idea is to create a bypass tunnel. Engineers can design them to be highly resistant to earthquake damage. A tunnel would be immensely expensive, but has the advantage of minimal disruption of traffic during construction. Most of the work could be completed while the old highway remains in use. Eventual removal of the Viaduct would transform Seattle's downtown and waterfront. It would become a far more pleasant and valuable public asset.
It's safer, and much cheaper, to reduce hazards before a disaster occurs. That's why we're already spending hundreds of millions of dollars on reinforcing bridges and buildings throughout our earthquake-prone region. We know that more seismic shaking is inevitable, and that we can't afford to be unprepared.
In the case of the Viaduct, the expense and complexity of fixing the problem is daunting. The essential fact is that we need more facts. Many people already have strong opinions, but it seems reasonable to ask that we all learn a little more before concluding anything.
What are the real costs and benefits of our various options? I'd like a thorough analysis of the financial and aesthetic benefits of eliminating that dangerous, noisy, dirty, view-obstructing monstrosity. Please show me a menu of possible taxes, tolls, local improvement district funding, and other financing which could allow us to defuse this ticking time-bomb. I want all of this to be printed on the back of cereal boxes, and I'm getting hungry.
Roger Faris is the director of the Well Home Program at the Phinney Neighborhood Association. The program provides advice, encouragement, tools, and classes for home improvement and repair. Call (206) 789-4993 for information. For the Earthquake Home Retrofit Program, call (206) 382-2159.
Reader Comments
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| Ian | Mar 11, 2003 | Seattle,WA | Technician |
| Yes, the Alakan Way Viaduct is an eye soar to the city. Like the Kingdom, it has got to go. Also, as green as Washington is,... the downtown Seattle area is lacking in comparison to other major cities. I was sadden that the Commerce project didn't pass,... now we have ideas for Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct. Do hope we do something with this dangerous road that is truely an eye soar. Cheerz, ian. | |||
| Buster | Aug 06, 2003 | Seattle, WA | Consultant |
| Eye sore? Who cares? Who would seriously go to downtown Seattle, or any other major city, to experience beauty? Get out of town once in a while. Just because the highway has a great view is not a reason to tear it down. Traffic actually flows near speed limit much of the time on it. I'd like to know if there is a DOT approved (or other) estimate on the cost of retrofit. Traffic/business disruption during whatever is done should be the main consideration, since that itself is a cost. | |||
