Photo: Art Bromage
Back in December we heard the Alaskan Way Viaduct was sinking. We were told it's no biggie. IN February we were told it was still sinking. Again, no biggie. Now comes word that new cracks are forming in the viaduct and existing cracks are getting bigger. Okay, that's a biggie.
Inspections on the Alaskan Way Viaduct on March 1 found new cracks forming near Seneca Street, and some existing cracks have lengthened, according to state highway engineers…. Tom Baker, WSDOT bridge engineer, said the most likely cause for cracking is the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake, which he said weakened the underground foundations in ways that aren't fully understood. Cracks have recently spread on vertical columns, as well as the horizontal girders that support the road deck, he said.
WSDOT engineers have scheduled an additional in-depth inspection of the Alaskan Way Viaduct on Saturday, March 22.
Inspection, inschmection, methinks it's as good a time as any to take that sucker down. Besides, no one's using it anyway.
· WSDOT: Viaduct cracks spreading near Seneca ramp [Seattle Times]
· Follow-up viaduct inspection scheduled for March 22 [WSDOT]
· Tear Down the Damn Viaduct Already! [SLOG]
· Alaskan Way Viaduct Traffic Has Plummeted [Curbed Seattle]
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