16-21 Seattle #2 of 7: The Alaskan Way Viaduct

Follows WA-99 across the Alaskan Way Viaduct in both directions to beyond the Aurora Bridge and back to Downtown. All music and equipment FAQ's are in the closing credits.

[@DJR5280]

Now that is a world class skyline. Great video Jim

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, and yes that is a great skyline.

[@PelicanGuy]

I totally agree.

[@justinhundley2456]

Liked the music and the video and what's a viaduct? Have a blessed day Freewayjim

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, a Viaduct is a bridge that crosses just land.

[@allenmathews3569]

what skyline is in the beginning in the intro? Atlanta

[@EngachoSV]

Awesome video, I loved Seattle back in the 90s for its music. It is great to drive through the city thanks to your video. Thank you.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@StevenEveral]

This is going to be classified as archival footage soon. Another interesting thing about the double deck part of the viaduct: It has a similar design as the Cypress Street Viaduct structure, the one that collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. In 2001, there was an earthquake that hit Seattle, and by some miracle, the viaduct still stood, however, it took some serious damage. After an evaluation of the damage that occurred, it was realized that the viaduct would collapse in the next medium-to-large earthquake to hit Seattle. Thus, the tunnel.

[@Dan_1022]

Also cos they predict a 9.0 earthquake like the one that hit Sumatra in 2004 and Japan in 2010.and a tsunami. so way stronger than the Loma prieta and the Seattle earthquake..

[@FreewayBrent]

Just hoping the next big one doesn't hit before the tunnel opens. It'll be a bit saddening to see the viaduct go, but the waterfront will undergo some dramatically improved changes that I think will benefit the city greatly for decades to come.

[@Dan_1022]

still if the viaduct goes down, id rather see it get demolished than going down at an earthquake with probably people on the viaduct or underneath a lot probably dying, and adding to the budget of earthquake costs. and since the tunnel isnt complete then itd get si badly serious damage since it isnt complete. adding even more to budget, and a lot of chaos... so bettee demolished by people thab desteoyed with phatalities. so yeah...

[@leoalbertc]

Steven Manning RYNULIK,N L

[@notsure6187]

the tunnel will not have a breakdown lane

[@lillykurtz7871]

oh my god rip the viaduct!!! this is giving me feelings of nostalgia :(

[@jonathan_adams]

Oh, hey, I'm comment 206! Fitting. Unpopular opinion, I know, but I miss the viaduct. A beautiful drive, plus the curvature and double-decker structure are really cool. I was lucky enough to take it once in 2010 on a drive from downtown to the airport, although I only vaguely remember it.

[@martengravenstein6241]

Thanks for the great ride. History and music. Pretty cool

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you for watching!

[@semineil]

Can't believe this year is the 25th anniversary of the release of Nevermind...Damn, I'm old!

[@JJAcrosstheUSA]

I played this on my Bluetooth in the car and totally rocked out! Brings back some great teenage memories....can't wait to see what's coming next week!!

[@Freewayjim]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@MissRobbiOKC]

I was hoping for Nirvana!! Honestly, I love all your videos, but this one is outstanding!

[@Freewayjim]

LOL, I just had to use Nirvana in Seattle :). Thank you.

[@CrystalClearWith8BE]

The Alaskan Viaduct used to bring culture in Seattle until 2019, it was demolished and replaced with the tunnel.

[@eluko79]

Excellent footage Jim! It's great to see this one more time on film before the new tunnel gets built.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, I was glad I could get it, got it at night coming up too :)

[@TheJoker-rq3nx]

Miss your videos

[@bobphillips3222]

Great view from the top deck. Always a nice way to come into town from the airport, etc. Especially on a nice day. Like a big welcome home hug.

[@mjoven1975]

Just drove this two days ago! Seattle is a beautiful city!

[@Freewayjim]

It certainly is.

[@gvilleboy352]

Great video, as always! I knew Seattle had a nice skyline, but I wasn't prepared for that density!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, yes it is definitely a great skyline.

[@edkollin]

"Whatever, Nevermind" is still one great lines in rock. Funny how things coalesce at just the right time and right place like grunge did in Seattle 25 years ago. Out went Hair Metal and synthpop. I wonder if something music wise can happen like that again?

[@kushantaiidan]

The Anthem of Seattle. How does Nirvana never get old! Hello Seattle from Ballarat & Melbourne.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@tomsmith5584]

Thanks for the great ride. I never knew how most of the sign gantries used by Washington State are similar to the ones used in France. Speaking of France, if you want to see what the new tunnel will be like, check out European Roads video of the A86 Duplex tunnel, located near Versailles. The tunnel in Seattle will be shorter (the one in France is 10.5 km or 6.5 miles long), but otherwise very similar.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@jamesprizeman1145]

I saw the double decked structure of that part of the viaduct this summer when I was on the Seattle Ferris Wheel

[@PeteTheChopp]

Thanks Jim. This video is great timing for me, I am going to Seattle for the first time this weekend and our hotel is on Alaskan Way!

[@Freewayjim]

Awesome, hope you have a great time there.

[@thanhtantruongvinh99]

Visited Seattle in 2016 and was totally impressed by the viaduct but I wasn't old enough to drive. My dream is to drive on it but it's possible anymore ;(

[@cardoso112]

Great vid. Always a good choice of music. Love your channel reminds me to my own roadtrip back in 2012. Good job greets from NL

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you very much!

[@cjs121675]

Very nice ride- and a great idea to use that song from Nirvana! Very appros- and a great skyline- always found Seattle to be a cool looking city and one of the cities that is high on my bucket list to visit! Very cool! Wanted to wait til I could enjoy the video without disruption and it was well worth the wait! Very nice! Looking forward to more of Seattle!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@lupine25]

Funny... this video popped up on my recommended feed tonight -- a mere weeks away (Jan 11th) from the permanent closure of the viaduct. Even KZbin is wishing it farewell, apparently..... :)

[@upeedinalamb5297]

This lamb has been touring some county fairs, so I've not been watching KZbin. This lamb is excited to announce that this lamb is going to Seattle, and hope to ride on the Alaska Way before it goes underground due to Bertha. Great video as always.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, the lambs will love Seattle, it's very green.

[@IIzachBuilds]

Well, now the Viaduct is being demolished also along with the completion of the SR 99 Tunnel in Seattle has an alternative replacement for the viaduct, bringing more light upon building regaining Seattles original coastline and Puget sound views. This is also up the account for how old the Viaduct was, and other issues, etc.

[@DSbigDreams9id]

Funny how you uploaded your Minneapolis video on August 8th and then continued driving towards Seattle. I was in Seattle August 8th! Hope it was a great trip. XD

[@Freewayjim]

Yes it was, thank you very much!

[@jogolock1190]

I did a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle a few years ago, as I drive through Aberdeen WA, I was playing this tune on the way up to the Hoh Rainforest.

[@GilbertodeSousaMonteiro]

Excellent trip crossing the i-90 from east to West up to Seattle. monumental!!!!!!!!!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@nasifulhuda31]

Great video as always.

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@TheMillwallbill]

Great video yet again

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@countenanceblog]

Speaking of Nevermind, I'm sure you saw a few weeks ago that Spencer Elden, on the 25th anniversary, like he did on the 20th anniversary, recreated the underwater album art scene. He'll be taking dunks every five years.

[@rjmcallister1888]

US 99 was the west coast version of US 1 on the east; a border-to-border highway. I-5 took that over and US 99 was decommissioned when all of I-5 was complete. It still remains as a state route in Washington, Oregon and California.

[@Freewayjim]

I always suspected US-101 was that equivalent...neither route hits ALL the big cities like US-1 though.

[@rsdaddy141]

Pretty city! We probably will be up there next year. Great as expected from you.😁

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you and it is an amazing city! you'll enjoy it.

[@nvyoung]

Sweet to see the Alaskan Way Viaduct in video before it's taken down. Great editing skills with that Nirvana song!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you very much!

[@MikeAW2010]

Alaskan Way brings back so many memories. I remember using it before than began the construction to dig it underground. It was basically a second I-5 back then. Hwy 99 goes a long way too. I could take it from Federal Way to Everett (long drive) .. I used to work in the area where the existing tunnel ended just outside of Downtown going Northbound and I loved passing the buildings on Alaskan Way. The skyline was so amazing. It's so much different than Atlanta's skyline.. I can't really compare the two. +Freewayjim did you notice that the Highway Signs in Washington have the exit number banner across the entire length of the sign much like they used to in Georgia (they still do in some areas) .. WA is the only other state I've seen that.

[@Freewayjim]

Yes, I noticed that, not a fan of tabs, prefer these to be honest.

[@schwenda3727]

This one right here will probably remain as among my top 5-10 favorite vid's of yours EVER right here (too lazy to create an actual list lol)!

[@Freewayjim]

LOL! Thanks, glad you liked it.

[@DannyPimienta]

Another awesome video +Freeway Jim

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@xxdynamic_lighting-roblox2202]

Seattle is my favorite!

[@Iceify_]

The area looks so much better without it. Gone are the days of the freeway sitting inches next to buildings.

[@ca2fla]

Thanks for another great ride, Jim. It's been a while since you've had a video with only one song for the soundtrack.

[@Freewayjim]

16-14 and 16-19 had only one song.....but thanks, glad you liked it. There will be a few more one-song videos coming up.

[@rwgrab]

Great video of the endangered viaduct and (of course) an excellent song selection! I voted for a replacement freeway, but the tunnel will be interesting feature once Bertha the tunnel boring machine finishes her work.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@Dan_1022]

the awv(i abbreviate it like that) is my favourite I Seattle and it sucks that it'll die in 2 years.. bht I thought it was this year, but since its in 2018, i have time to visit it before they finish the tunnel and fly to Seattle just to see the viaduct, sorry it's just my #1 must visit highway... I love the Seattle skyline from the viaduct.. I wish the tunnel hadn't been the cheapest option.. but nothing I can do about it... there are other elevated highways elsewhere.. cool video and I usually don't comment about music but it reminds me of when I was younguer. when i was obsessed with this song and no one I knew liked it anymore cos it was around 2010 (I'm 17 minus 12 days)just saying.. I also usually like the songs you put cos they match the trips most times. on my opinion some cases even not like a certainty song but like the way it matches the video.. now that I'm mentioning the song I decided to just say that.. just saying idk... I just love the viaduct and the song reminds me of stuff..

[@NikoBell12]

Seattle is so beautiful, that is one city where I think I'd just go out for a drive with no purpose at all, the roads are so nice.

[@Freewayjim]

I agree

[@TheSolarcatcher]

Great ride! That is an odd and interesting stretch of road.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, my thoughts exactly, as a mutual friend posted in the group, it does look like something you'd see in NJ north of the city..

[@roygray6674]

The Viaduct was one of my favorite things in downtown sad its gone :I

[@EuropeanRoads]

Great video! I wasn't ware that 99 lacks traffic signals until that far north of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. It's a good 4-5 miles before you hit the first traffic signal, most maps don't depict it as a free-flow road.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you, while driving it I was shocked at how far north I had to go to find a place to turn around, not that I minded.

[@brentjonas762]

FreewayBrent here, using my personal G-Mail account. :-) There's actually 6 points before that first traffic light, in which you can get off, go under Highway 99 and go back south. Just gotta know exactly where they are. That's def. a convenient alternative to I-5 to get through the city fairly quickly.

[@khunopie9159]

It was like I was riding IN the Acura with Kurt riding shotgun! Very nice indeed!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@CostasAthan]

Nice video (and city)!

[@JDSleeper]

Seattle is one of my favorite cities. Great downtown. The only corner of the country I haven't been to now is Florida.

[@itzgabbyy]

and great video nice song keep up the good work

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@p9r4ex8dyk]

I used to live here. Thank you Freeway Jim.

[@Freewayjim]

Cool, thanks for watching!

[@acfhs-xu4ck]

Awesome video, replacing this viaduct with a tunnel is alot like the big dig in Boston

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks and I agree, just a smaller scale.

[@notsure6187]

and no exits or shoulder.

[@KCWanderlust]

Driving a truck back in the day, I never got an opportunity to see a lot of the country in it's splendor and glory (or something like that). Industrial areas were pretty much the norm for me. Thanks for showing me "what I missed", Jim. Now, where did I put those old flannel shirts? :-)

[@Freewayjim]

LOL, Thanks, glad you liked it.

[@EphemeralProductions]

I used to live in Fremont, a little ways west of the point at 2:25 :)

[@xplodinggingers]

Great choice of song, especially since Nirvana is from here!!!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@veronicagomez4551]

it's a huge city😯

[@costadelsol1980]

Nice video!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@dave11686]

Very cool, and while I'm not Nirvana's biggest fan, it's only apropos to use it on a Seattle video.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you! that was my thinking as well, I don't have to love a song to use it.

[@FreewayBrent]

The greatest elevated waterfront freeway ever constructed in the US, not minding its susceptibility in an earthquake? Why, I think so, or at least it's right up there. Great ride. WA 99 is a convenient alternative to the northern half of Seattle, when there's a major accident on I-5. In case you were wondering, there used to be an uninterrupted connection between the freeway portion of WA 99 and the Alaskan Way Viaduct, but that's been all changed with the tunnel construction and upcoming modifications of the area immediately south of the viaduct.

[@Freewayjim]

It's definitely an awesome ride on the viaduct and a classic piece of mid-century highway architecture that I was very glad I got to see, photograph and film.

[@maureendesquitado3606]

Hi Jim I enjoyed the video!!! 😊

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@theblackleaf2204]

Interesting ride through downtown

[@lupine25]

IDK if you all saw it, but there's one on-ramp to the viaduct (Don't quote me on this, but I think it's Seneca St to NB 99) where there's a sign "goof" with the number 99 on the old US 99 shield. I've often wondered if that goof wasn't intentional as a historical throwback... haha! Nice timing on the music too, considering Nevermind just had it's 25th anniversary...

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@compdude100]

No, they just never changed the sign when US 99 was decommissioned in 1964. These signs on the viaduct are some of the few button copy signs left in WA state.

[@thebionicpig]

Fun ride!!

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@Kinroby]

OMG I had to turn this way up

[@OldSchoolVibes1978]

Hey Freewayjim, I love your vids but often get a "video is not available" message when I try to view new videos after receiving notifications on my KZbin app?

[@Freewayjim]

It could be the device you are trying to view it on, each song has different copyright conditions, find a computer and it'll be fine.

[@CheeseMasterSports]

Awesome ride!!!! I was hoping for some Nirvana!!!

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you and this isn't the last Seattle video with Nirvana :)

[@CheeseMasterSports]

Alright!

[@tharedthunder1644]

Freewayjim should do a video on the construction on I-35W & Wichita falls

[@BennyDigitalNomad51]

Was this video tookan the same day as 16-22?

[@nasifulhuda31]

Also, what do you mean by "A Trip Around the Block". Do you mean by going through one street in Downtown Seattle? Maybe you might be going through Pioneer Square?

[@Freewayjim]

You can wait and find out next Monday or look at a map of the area and see if you can figure it out, it's not too tricky :)

[@Partyhardrocker]

Wow well they have began tearing this down!

[@andyjay729]

Completed by 2018? We'll see about that. It was supposed to be completed last year, I think.

[@CrystalClearWith8BE]

It's the 30th anniversary of Nirvana's Nevermind and Smell's Like Teen Spirit is a great song of choice as I watch this. I also love the former Alaskan Viaduct you driven 5 years ago, but in 2019, it was removed and was replaced by a tunnel. Someday, you may go back to Seattle and film the tunnel, maybe somewhere in the middle of this decade, but you're still planning on when to go to New England next, right?

[@Freewayjim]

I honestly don't know where or when I'm going next.

[@rbwilson65]

Do u have one where u can go to the Pier 96 via seatlle??

[@Freewayjim]

No I do not.

[@avenuefriends3565]

Standard brilliance.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@gdonovan610]

:53 - 1:26 Aside from being elevated kind of reminds me of the FDR.

[@epicxparrish543]

You went there cool

[@nickalkire1187]

There's CenturyLink Field on the right!!!

[@andyjay729]

Did anyone else once think the lyrics were "Well the light's out/It's what's dangerous"?

[@RealTony123YT]

the new i-295 in NC is building up

[@RandomYTEnjoyer1]

Isnt the viaduct closed now?

[@Azve99]

I think. They replaced it with a tunnel.

[@colinstu]

the northern section past the tunnel should be converted to a boulevard / street IMO. The surrounding area is too close, and the whole thing could be made more pedestrian and bike friendly.

[@RealTony123YT]

its not done yet

[@sebbytoysgaming2719]

What happened to seattle Viaduct

[@Freewayjim]

They took it down and replaced it with a tunnel, I'm sure you can google it for more info.

[@sebbytoysgaming2719]

@@Freewayjim Why

[@Iceify_]

@@sebbytoysgaming2719 Because It was a grey lookin piece of shit that made the area look bad.

[@josac966]

@@sebbytoysgaming2719 and because the bridge was litterally a few inches next to some buildings

[@1867Phoenix]

Viaduct in 2007 before demolition: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWTHd6Srj8mqgKM Viaduct Earthquake Simulation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpXXm3qjp7V-ias This 2nd video was used to promote the Tunnel option over replacing the viaduct with a larger version of itself. Seems like a lot of unnecessary political persuasion to replace the viaduct with a tunnel that has fewer lanes than the viaduct had. Also who's to say this tunnel wouldn't flood in a liquefaction event. Even the I-93 tunnel under downtown Boston leaked and Boston is not to have many earthquakes like Seattle, which seismologists say could experience a worse "Big One" than California's dreaded "Big One"

[@theodorelewis4708]

i smell tunnels ahead

[@EphemeralProductions]

Before the music even started playing, I knew it would be Nirvana. and i was right! Hehe

[@Freewayjim]

I'll be using one more Nirvana song in the Seattle series.

[@bcroadgeek5404]

it says the video is not avaliable :( I wanted to see this video thouhh

[@Freewayjim]

Try again, it's available.

[@bcroadgeek5404]

it's not avaliable still. maybe it's only avaliable in the US

[@compdude100]

Perhaps the song is causing the video to be blocked in your country. I've had this happen with several of my videos.

[@bcroadgeek5404]

shit

[@Dzukelis443]

nice

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@lupine25]

So... this just happened today (4/4/17) regarding the replacement tunnel under Alaskan Way: Bertha (the digging machine) broke through her last bit of dirt! ... so I guess you could consider today the new tunnel's "birthday" Haha! Here's some video from our local NBC affiliate, King5: www.king5.com/news/local/bertha-seattle-tunnel-machine-breakthrough/428385888

[@1867Phoenix]

America's War on Double Decker Freeways clearly seen right here.

[@BennyDigitalNomad51]

I wrote a song by this song it's called connecticut

[@strredwolf]

Great video. Could use more Weird Al. :)

[@Freewayjim]

Thanks

[@sauwahfung9176]

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[@itzgabbyy]

fwj you know the youtube update recantly it turn if when you upload a video right now at 4:02 in santa ana

[@frankpieters7010]

it says 'this video is not available' so you're European followers can't watch it ?

[@Freewayjim]

Have you tried it on a computer? It's a music copyright issue for some devices and the music is banned in Germany.

[@Pyeknu]

So they're replacing the whole thing with a dual-level tunnel. Good idea.

[@Freewayjim]

I agree

[@davidcarson2834]

Yes. It reminds me of how they got rid of the I-93 viaduct in Boston and replaced it with a tunnel, which allowed room for more development on the surface.

[@notsure6187]

no shoulders or exits in the 99 tunnel though. evacuations will be a mess inside there.

[@losermediagroup5709]

Hey jim you could have put smells like nirvana by weird al yankovic

[@Freewayjim]

Nah.

[@LarkVsOwl-de3op]

go to Bongo's!!

[@homereatinghole]

i know the song!!!!!!!

[@Usaloverivan1]

I thought you would use Smells Like Teen Spirit in LA!

[@dave11686]

why? Nirvana is from Seattle.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you!

[@Usaloverivan1]

Freewayjim You are welcome, you have used rock a lot in LA. I love your work.

[@Freewayjim]

Thank you very much!