1. I love the view from the Viaduct. It was pointed out on NPR a while back that the drive through Seattle's waterfront on the viaduct is the one chance many of us get to see the gorgeous view. Any proposal that is NOT a new elevated structure essentially sells the view to the highest bidder, with developers winning, and those of us not rich enough to live where there's a view losing.
2. Having been in the construction industry in Seattle for most of the last decade, the only thing I can say with certainty is that the tunnel proposals don't have a snowball's chance in hell of coming in on time or on budget. Any time you dig in Seattle, there are unforseen and expensive problems. Add the usual "digging in Seattle" factor to the "below the water table" bit, and you have a recipe for huge cost overruns, huge delays, and huge problems.
3. I don't personally think the idea of a boulevard or surface-level solution is practical - I currently commute 2 days a week on the viaduct, at 6:30am, and it's pretty crowded. I can't imagine all that traffic at surface level moving at all. Similarly, if you're going to build a tunnel, build one that's big enough for the traffic volume - 3 lanes in either direction, not this "tunnel light" bullshit.
4. Tunnels give me the creeps. And that's all I'm going to say about that.
I heard that (for the first time) on the way home from work today. Le Sigh. However, bus commuters would still get a good view...
Someone on the radio today was stumping for a bridge across Elliot Bay - the existing viaduct could stay open during construction, lanes would be left for ferry traffic, and it would allow the existing viaduct to be torn down completely when it's done. I haven't any idea if it's really feasable from an engineering/construction/cost perspective, but it's an interesting idea.
As a bus commuter whose bus choices both take the viaduct, I say no thanks.
I also commute by bike when I can and from ground level it is stinky, ugly and noisy. Traffic is going to suck no matter what and I don't think the elevated option (or the tunnel for that matter) are good long-term solutions.
1. I love the view from the Viaduct. It was pointed out on NPR a while back that the drive through Seattle's waterfront on the viaduct is the one chance many of us get to see the gorgeous view. Any proposal that is NOT a new elevated structure essentially sells the view to the highest bidder, with developers winning, and those of us not rich enough to live where there's a view losing.
2. Having been in the construction industry in Seattle for most of the last decade, the only thing I can say with certainty is that the tunnel proposals don't have a snowball's chance in hell of coming in on time or on budget. Any time you dig in Seattle, there are unforseen and expensive problems. Add the usual "digging in Seattle" factor to the "below the water table" bit, and you have a recipe for huge cost overruns, huge delays, and huge problems.
3. I don't personally think the idea of a boulevard or surface-level solution is practical - I currently commute 2 days a week on the viaduct, at 6:30am, and it's pretty crowded. I can't imagine all that traffic at surface level moving at all. Similarly, if you're going to build a tunnel, build one that's big enough for the traffic volume - 3 lanes in either direction, not this "tunnel light" bullshit.
4. Tunnels give me the creeps. And that's all I'm going to say about that.
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If you like the viaduct for the view, you don't support rebuilding a new viaduct - no more view.
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Someone on the radio today was stumping for a bridge across Elliot Bay - the existing viaduct could stay open during construction, lanes would be left for ferry traffic, and it would allow the existing viaduct to be torn down completely when it's done. I haven't any idea if it's really feasable from an engineering/construction/cost perspective, but it's an interesting idea.
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I also commute by bike when I can and from ground level it is stinky, ugly and noisy. Traffic is going to suck no matter what and I don't think the elevated option (or the tunnel for that matter) are good long-term solutions.
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