The biggest construction project in Seattle in recent years has been the replacement of a seismically compromised waterfront viaduct with a tunnel carrying State Route 99 under downtown. The project was delayed for about two years while the contractor repaired damage to its tunnel boring machine. The contractor claimed that the damage was caused by
Update on Alaska Way Viaduct Replacement
Occasional visitors to Seattle may be surprised to discover that their favorite route from the airport to downtown has changed. State Highway 99 no longer links to the Alaskan Way Viaduct into downtown Seattle. The waterfront viaduct has been closed and demolition has begun. The Battery Street tunnel that connected viaduct traffic to Aurora Avenue
Considerations Before and After the Government Comes Knocking (or Preparing for Condemnation)
The status of infrastructure throughout the United States, and the need to expand and rebuild facilities, is often in the news. Funding these improvements remains a challenge, but when funding is identified, the government often has to acquire private property. If the government and the property owner are unable to reach agreement, the acquisition may
Going Green in a Big Way.
As the new State Route 520 floating bridge nears completion in Seattle, the 31 original bridge pontoons are ready for removal. Rather than breaking them up, the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will tow them through the Seattle ship canal and Ballard Locks to Puget Sound. In an epic display of recycling, they will be
Construction Successes in the Seattle Area
It seems that lawyers spend a lot of time dealing with problems and crises, but it is healthy to celebrate successes as well. Here are a few things around Seattle that we can celebrate.
Sound Transit continues its expansion of the light rail system. The station next to Husky Stadium opened in March, connecting folks
The Latest DIRT in California: Additional Mandatory Reporting for Excavators, Operators and Contractors?
Those that “dig in the dirt” are very familiar with the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT), which was launched in 2003 by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA). Over the years California has enacted several statutes requiring anyone moving dirt to notify a regional notification center of the area of planned disturbance that may impact a subsurface
Seattle Tunneling Machine Bertha Makes National News
The City of Seattle is replacing the two-level highway viaduct that dominates the downtown shoreline with a two-level tunnel. A very large tunnel boring machine, named Bertha in honor of an early Seattle mayor, has been excavating the tunnel for several months. In December, Bertha encountered an unknown obstruction and came to a halt. Seattleites
Another Interesting Project in Seattle
I previously told you about some upcoming Seattle tunneling projects. Here now is a link to artist renderings of the new SR 520 floating bridge project, which will raise the existing bridge up above the pontoons, making space for maintenance works and storm water treatment and fire suppression utilities underneath: www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/6871707294/in/set-72157629307832804/
The photo site has
Keep An Eye On This Major Seattle Project
On January 6, 2011, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) signed a contract with Seattle Tunnel Partners for the biggest piece of the SR 99 Viaduct replacement project, the 1.7 mile long tunnel carrying traffic from the south end of the Seattle waterfront to near the Seattle Center. This is a design-build contract with