Tearing down the Alaskan Way Viaduct and transforming Seattle's waterfront

The Alaskan Way Viaduct was a double-deck concrete highway that marked Seattle's waterfront for more than 60 years. Old and seismically vulnerable, crews began carefully demolishing the roadway in February 2019. In September 2019 they brought down the final section of double-deck highway. This video captures the meticulous work of demolishing an urban highway and transforming an iconic waterfront.

[@ScottDLR]

Can you imagine how the value of those old building has gone up?

[@snowhero9]

since i have all that time when i am stuck in traffic

[@ryattackn22]

This is a very Seattle thing to say lol

[@ScottDLR]

@@ryattackn22 I guess it show that I live here LOL

[@rycallter3372]

Who do you think pushed/paid off the leadership to do it?

[@RHEC1776]

@@ryattackn22 actual not. I live in Southern California and that's the firet thing I thought of.

[@xaiano794]

I love planners in the 1950's - "Look at these lovely pacific ocean views. You know what this waterfront needs? a double-decker concrete freeway"

[@NeoRipshaft]

These Cities: Skylines mods are getting out of hand.

[@lej234]

I'm curious as to how many people here will get the reference lol

[@timgo197]

lol

[@shane_gentle]

😂

[@willysnowman]

*Bonespurs lost AGAIN!!*

[@QueenDaenerysTargaryen]

IKR

[@kootybear]

the before and after is amazing. how removing so much roadway can make a city look beautiful is awesome

[@North_Bound]

Honestly it just looks like a normal city block now, nothing interesting anymore

[@peksn]

@@North_Bound Oh yeah, because the highway was so interesting

[@North_Bound]

@@peksn Yes actually, at least it looked different from any other city

[@peksn]

@@North_Bound pretty sure if you ask the residents and the people who walk around the place they'll tell you the opposite. Also, now it looks like any other cities? Bro whenever I think of an american city first thing that comes to mind is a freeway cutting through the middle of it, if anything it is now that it looks different to other cities.

[@kodyburleson8851]

I'm gonna miss this disgusting eyesore. Best drive in the city it was.

[@bogonzales672]

Amen brother!

[@josephastier7421]

@Jay S Agreed, Yoda.

[@cambridgeh.lutece6658]

A good drive, but not very good for having a freeway right in front of your doorstep. Really... stains the waterfront.

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

Hm

[@tknapp9302]

Best city drive on the west coast

[@xander_tgtav2715]

Tearing it down because they realized it doesn't go to Alaska !

[@stevedoubleu99B]

There is always one comment I wish i'd thought of myself.....this is it!!

[@lostandfound3588]

really? I thought it did

[@macforme]

Xander_^ GTA V : I hate false advertising... 🤣 WHAT were they thinking!!!

[@seattleclock]

😂

[@TSKseattle]

2:24 It's good to see Darth Vader has found some extra work

[@hebneh]

Only temporarily, though. The demolition is finished. He’s had to return to being an evil despotic ruler.

[@JonathanChan212]

@@bobsemple7660 Yet he died.

[@Orcaben1]

omg XD

[@khagemann7462]

Haha

[@bayareablues2255]

I don't know who ever came up with the idea of double-decker freeways blocking a city from it's waterfront. I was so happy when San Francisco tore down the Embarcadero Freeway. The waterfront is soooooo much better.

[@jimhodapp7958]

Anything for a sacrifice at the alter of the almighty car industry…

[@bbman10pwns]

@@jimhodapp7958 CAR BAD

[@lordgemini2376]

@@bbman10pwns car dependency bad unironically

[@bbman10pwns]

@@lordgemini2376 not really it's completely necessary for America's ideal lifestyle and architecture

[@bbman10pwns]

​@@os3306doubtful america's landmass is absolutely massive, it was only inevitable that cars would become infrastructure. 97% of geographical america is considered rural. good luck trying to exist without a car if not living in the 3% area. many americans live a hybrid life, living within public transportation but also choosing to own a car.

[@willstout5988]

Truly impressive. The waterfront looks reborn. Some sections of road have been covered by shade for 60 years, and finally are shining again :)

[@chrisbailey7384]

It's like uncovering a section of carpet from a piece of furniture that's been sitting in that spot for decades seeing a dark section of original color!

[@sheruwalia7450]

Meanwhile i5 in tacoma has been getting worked on for 20 years and they're still not done!

[@JonathanChan212]

VS 8 months! I wasn't even born until 2004.

[@silasmacon1565]

I was in my Apprenticeship when they started working on Tacoma's road project. I've been in my trade for 21 years! Oh and the guys that took down the viaduct should have built the tunnel Just sayin

[@ub5563]

I moved there 20 years ago, and moved away 15 years ago... they're STILL not done?

[@stephenfernald2490]

I arrived in the Army at Ft Lewis in 1975. Work in Tacoma has always been going on

[@johncholmes643]

Don't forget i90

[@michaelangelo8898]

Driving northbound on the viaduct was the most beautiful city drive in the state. That part will be missed. Glad I got to drive it many times.

[@bogonzales672]

Agreed!!

[@xpl0dinggamrguy808]

sad that the viaduct had to be torn down, but im glad that the city now looks more beautiful and doesnt have a wall between the downtown core and the waterfront. im especially happy for those that live and work in the buildings near the seneca street off ramp, i could never imagine how annoying it must be to have a 4th floor apartment or offic and still have to deal with cars zooming by your window. plus, the whole thing was unstable anyways. it was churned out in the 50s, and there was no way it could have survived a major earthquake that the cascadia subduction zone is capable of producing. imagine the loss of life if the viaduct wasnt replaced on time, and if it had collapsed in an earthquake during rush hour.

[@stevenboswell220]

Closed just a few weeks before I got my permit

[@NightingaleSong]

@@xpl0dinggamrguy808 I mean.. is being in a tunnel really that much better in terms of an earthquake?

[@NightingaleSong]

It's a shame that I only remember driving it once. I only lived in Washington state for 4 years and not in Seattle.

[@ThomasBarone]

I have never and would never live in Seattle. Worked across from the kingdome for a year in 89. Always though the viaduct was a HUGE blight on what should have been one of the most attractive parts of the city. When the proposal to do a tunnel for billions was put forth, I thought, great idea as long as Seattle pays for it. Tried but couldn't visualize in my minds eye how much better it would be until this video. Looks like money very well spent. Every single day, from this day forward, seattleites will have this beauty instead of blight. Now, if you could put the needles, human excrement and garbage filth under ground too, We would consider spending the day exploring the area. Lanay & Thomas from Kapowsin

[@Joelswinger34]

Thank God! That thing was hideous! We had a similar one in Boston that replaced by a tunnel with a park on top. It completely changed the feel of the city!

[@SpadeCaller]

The shear amount of fantastic "lake front" listings, just went through the roof. And here's to the old skin flint who wouldn't sell because, "Someday it will be worth some money".

[@maxtharipper]

That would be the Ocean

[@vsmcax1007]

Uhhh it’s a salt water bay....Elliot Bay.... Bay front? Water front?

[@edwardsaucedo9223]

Before big bertha even started, it was to have public parks and trees.

[@thecloneguyz]

Wait until you find out that Seattle sold that waterfront property to the cruise ships AFTER they made the taxpayers pay for all of this!!! They didn't want to do it before because then they would have been forced to use that money!!!!

[@ericahalaburda2025]

I'm blown away by the stunning skill and creativity of all who worked on this epic project.

[@whistlingrock3157]

Thank you

[@pad9x]

wow the character of the place has completely transformed in such a short time !

[@willmerrittmusic]

Highly impressive and a concise tribute to all the hard work!

[@The-Cat]

Thanks Obamma

[@fifthcolumn388]

I was just there two days ago for the first time in my life, and I was thinking to myself “It’s really weird that so much of this waterfront in a big city is basically empty”, but now I know why! Can’t wait to go back and see new buildings there, hopefully not just parking lots.

[@ann-mariedoerhoff8804]

I love how a subtraction ended up being an amazing addition! Way to go Seattle.

[@thephantomeagle2]

I love how they protected the underground utilities under the bridge by just leaving the debris there till it was entirely done. That way if one of the big concrete beams broke away, which I suspect could've happened, the debris on the ground would protect the underground utilities by leaving a few feet of broken concrete and rebar as a cushion. Great plan. I'm sure there are few people complaining about it being gone. The views are so much better, and the offices and homes that used to be inches from the road are so much quieter. Very cool video.

[@2nd3rd1st]

I hope they plant some trees there now.

[@randalltrieb3035]

They can't plant trees it would get in the way of 5g

[@AtomicSaunders]

That's exactly what I was thinking. Great opportunity for some urban green space. Perhaps they should consider shrinking that street as well.

[@roboko6618]

@@randalltrieb3035 Aint' nobody gonna die cuz there internet was 4G instead of 5. Plant those trees

[@VantagePoint2]

Jason Saunders that’s the plan, they will build a large park along the water front

[@iconicshrubbery]

@@VantagePoint2 A park, really? A car park, surely. :-/

[@ACAGT]

There goes my favorite Gran Turismo 2 landmark

[@kurtricketts3133]

I remember playing that back in the late 90s! Was so excited every time I drove the viaduct.

[@chivomachete]

Was the best game for me ,,

[@kurtricketts3133]

@@drunksquirrel2051 No, it literally was. Seattle Circuit.

[@BAZZAROU812]

Hell yeah..

[@carlosb8130]

​@@drunksquirrel2051Yes it was: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYSZq4Csf5aGgq8

[@Starhartdeer]

Nice video! Great collection of all the work done and fascinating to watch those big crusher jaws work.

[@hebneh]

I'm surprised that one section of supports wasn't retained as a historic marker.

[@brsi58]

hebneh It was an eyesore

[@hebneh]

Yeah, definitely a nasty structure, but people in the future need to know it once disfigured the city, and now it’s gone.

[@Menelik.videos]

@@brsi58 dude, seriously, they could have left out a piece of it as a souvenir. It really is sad that they didn't.

[@eddiehidani3683]

probably would've been a mild earthquake hazard to leave up. Also, would likely have to still be state inspected even if it doesn't carry a load anymore. Pure speculation, but I'm guessing they thought about it before tearing it all down

[@itsjustjm2795]

@@eddiehidani3683 The Viaduct was a huge earthquake risk. The Viaduct transported 120k cars a day. If a large earthquake hit Seattle (which has been predicted for many MANY years) then that entire structure would have collapsed, easily, trapping and killing thousands. Recreating what happened in San Fran, here in Seattle. Tunnels do very well during earthquakes, despite what people think. Earthquakes are like waves on the sea. When you're on the sea surface you feel every wave underneath you, but if you're underwater you don't feel the surface waves at all. Same thing with earthquakes and tunnels.

[@IntyMichael]

I visited Seattle in October 2019. So, it must just have taken down then. I wondered why the Waterfront looked a bit rough here and there.

[@ShakespeareCafe]

It took the Loma Prieta earthquake to remove the eyesore Central Freeway along the San Francisco Embarcadero. The tyranny of the automobile must end in crowded downtowns

[@chrisk8187]

My wife and I visited Seattle for our ten day 20th anniversary in early July 2013. We had never been to the Pacific Northwest and wanted to experience the scenic and cultural offerings of Puget Sound and the city. We flew to SeaTac from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and rode the light-rail downtown and back each day on the the clean, inexpensive and relaxing train while getting a sense of the surrounding neighborhoods. We saw "everything" from Pike Place with the 100+ year old iron framed market with all the flowers, food venders including the fish tossers, bakeries, "original" Starbucks, restaurants, shops, COFFEE & CHOWDER! We took ferries to West Seattle and Alki Beach Park several times and Bainbridge Island, the one mile '62 World's Fair mono-rail, the Space Needle park with art sculptures and museums/galleries. We purposely came to also visit the world famous iconic Central Library designed by Rem Koolhass. We stayed for 3-4 hours (my wife was a librarian and I had studied architecture). We took city buses to Fremont and the Troll, also COFFEE, shops and local food cafes. We rode the Amtrak Cascades train from the newly restored King Street Station north up the Puget shoreline to Bellingham to sightsee and enjoy MORE great food and COFFEE. We also bus toured the dramatic Western Washington University campus. On our last day we walked the Pioneer Square area/shops/cafes/and, of course, more COFFEE! The only thing of note, which we didn't fully appreciate at the time, was while we strolled through the park, we noticed literally less than a handful of tents and street "inhabitants". We gave it no attention at that moment, but now....who knew....??? 2019 and the extent of the new urban "culture". We enjoyed ten days of no rain and a perfect celebration. We're so glad visited when we did.......I doubt we'll be back........ But thanks for the memories!!!

[@terryf5131]

They spent millions retro fitting it after the earthquake. 71 million spent on fixing the ceiling in the Kingdome...two years before they blew it up. Someone's making money.

[@Menelik.videos]

Dude, we were just talking about that yesterday.😁 Insane.

[@bobthompson4918]

That's how government works in the good old USA 🇺🇸😒$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[@Paul-21]

Swiss Richgyy that’s such bs

[@Accolaidia777]

DRATS run Seattle and the state...of course the money is sliding into a politicians pocket

[@blondeguy08]

Terry F wow... yeah someone is definitely making money. This thing was in great shape after the upgrade post earthquake. Beautiful drive too.

[@killerdoritoWA]

I was around the Seattle waterfront a few weeks ago, and was blown away by the dramatic reduction in noise pollution. I am looking forward to how the waterfront turn out in a couple of years, so don't Coug it!

[@leeandadaelliott]

Back in the day I ran one of those "claw" machines. We were tearing down a horse and livestock rendering plant next to a drywall factory. They no longer used the glue from the rendering plant to make the drywall. Anyway, for me tearing stuff down with that claw was the most fun I ever had in my construction career. Fun, and getting paid to boot, what more could you ask for?

[@dougsweldingfabrication953]

Good grief.... That's an amazing transformation. Beautiful !!!

[@lkmayhew9390]

Wow! Congratulations to all the people who worked on taking this viaduct down. Job well done👌✨🥰

[@chesterg.791]

This is great!! There will be so much more room for all the homeless people to lay around 🤗

[@SlurryNoises]

lmao 😂

[@michaelangelo8898]

Seattle liberalism at its best

[@nobrang5146]

@@michaelangelo8898 conservative cities have this problem too though

[@chesterg.791]

@@nobrang5146 All cities have homeless but the ones with the highest rates per capita are all democrat ranm.ranker.com/list/top-10-u-s-cities-with-a-high-homelessness-rate/greg

[@garrycole9187]

@@chesterg.791 , most largest cities are democrats because they consist of a diverse group of inhabitants. Seattle as well as most west coast cities are good moderate temp and jobs just no housing. Maybe these cities have a little more empathy too. What is your solutions then, just kick them out to somewhere else?

[@Seeitmove]

An outstanding accomplishment! It stood very close to us. It was deconstructed very safely, successfully! Thanks Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition crew. Thanks.

[@meagan1772]

As a confused Seattleite, this well-made, positive, and informative video is much appreciated!

[@darrenmonahan952]

Visited last year . Love Seattle ,best decision made for the city , beautiful view from the sound at dusk 🌆

[@The-Cat]

Thanks Obamma

[@BennettParsons1]

The new waterfront park is going to make for an excellent tent city!

[@Frost517]

Doing this probably created billions of dollars of value...

[@farscapefantasy3972]

@Dindo Nuffin A simple Google search reveals that the concrete will be pulverized and used for the Battery Street Tunnel. That the concrete and steel are being recycled was also noted in the video.

[@emailercc3565]

@Dindo Nuffin concrete is always recycled, in fact it makes some jobs cheaper

[@Drewsky840]

@Dindo Nuffin did you not watch the video? It said all steel and concrete were recycled.

[@richardscathouse]

Nope

[@rickyricardo4718]

Yep. Right into the pockets of politicians and their friends. Isn’t that special.

[@handenbramilton]

I’ve only been to Seattle twice. Once in 2007 to catch Daft Punk, and two months ago. In 2007 that road was SUCH A HUGE PART of my Seattle experience. Two months ago, overlooking the harbour, something seemed out of step with my memory of the city of 12 years prior, but it didn’t click. I’m totally floored to see this video honestly, I had no idea that was what changed.

[@freebird7284]

by far one of the best videos I have ever watched, mankind never ceases to amaze, great editing and labeling sections of the video, good job indeed!!!!!!!!!

[@aerialcombat]

Seriously, fuck your profile pic, burn that shitrag

[@ABC-jg3pv]

@@aerialcombat Cry about it

[@aerialcombat]

@@ABC-jg3pv why do you hate America? You know the Confederacy lost? We'll destroy every last insurrectionist, roll over them like General Sherman

[@CumLordGary]

@@ABC-jg3pv you say and act American yet support and wear the flag of traitors?

[@aerialcombat]

@JZ hahahaha!

[@EternallyThankful-os6pz]

What a MASSIVE job - looks like it was well-planned and well-executed - the scenery it opened up is striking...thanks for sharing this !!

[@The-Cat]

Thanks Obamma

[@DREAMMACHINEShh]

Amazing! Great job guys!!

[@billrobbins5874]

If we would ever get the big earthquake we:re expecting someday. That old thing could have killed alot of people. Just thinking, that could have happened.

[@3618499]

" FANTASTIC!.... This video and photo montage is wonderful. I love how it encapsulated the beginning to end period complete with ' before and after ' photos and captions. How some disliked this video is absurd. WDOT should get an award, not just for the massive infrastructure removal but the ' short and sweet ' and well done video compilation. "

[@aerialcombat]

Are you quoting yourself?

[@rodrigo111096]

Great job! Looks fantastic. Opens up the waterfront to new investment and developments.

[@windhorsepixy7784]

Right. Dandy. Come one come all. They are tearing down the city as fast as they can.

[@brianruff1133]

I almost miss it... Those were some crazy on/off ramps, though! Used to rip through there on my RD 350, ahh, the 80's...

[@saucytabasco]

Awesome video! Really enjoyed it, great way to showcase engineering and preserve history

[@b3z3rk34]

Not pretty to look at, but man I’ll miss that drive along the waterfront. The thumping of the cars above as you walked below the viaduct will always be something that sticks with me about it. I enjoyed that sound. RIP old friend.

[@PaulM_aka_4c21]

Impressive, haven’t been to Seattle since 1997, can’t wait to return to see the open aspect waterfront, incredible!

[@letlivewithmercy3132]

Hi my beautiful people’s 🇺🇸❤️🇪🇹❤️🇪🇷 one love ! Thank you 🙏 for sharing it’s good memory to remember now it’s beautiful views also when the park done it’s amazing my town

[@Menelik.videos]

Yes my Habesha friend, that is correct.

[@garymaxfield1722]

I remember when it was built.

[@daveinseattle]

Gary Maxfield That is awesome Gary😀

[@zhendiz5237]

awww. :( sentimental.

[@brianmoore1820]

Super job! What a difference it makes to the waterfront, well done. I used to drive that working in the south.

[@_mball_]

I walk along the Embarcadero many days a week - so excited for Seattle! And can't wait to visit soon!

[@brendanpotash]

OMG! I thought that eye sore / death trap would never go away! That pristine view of the Olympic mountains can finally be seen from town. Bravo!

[@nikoboy5337]

R.I.P old friend you will be missed for years to come Seattle will never be the same with you gone

[@rollinwithunclepete824]

It's all very cool! It amazes how bright an open the waterfront looks w/o the viaduct!

[@minniestark60]

WOW AMAZING!! great job...looks soo much pretty now ...sorry to see it go but what a difference it made gone..good job!!!

[@insertaverygenericnamehere]

Wow! City planners must have really hated poeple when they initially planned to build such a monster of a highway!

[@Orinslayer]

Robert Moses did in fact Hate everyone. He wanted to bulldoze half of New York city to put in highways. Nobody should have ever hired that buffoon.

[@neiliusflavius]

There is still rather a huge sea of asphalt - but at least a good step in the right direction.

[@saynotomid-rollads9267]

Yup. Still not enough green space, markets, cycleways, playgrounds, allotments, pedestrianized areas etc. Still too car-centric.

[@blackopscw7913]

@@saynotomid-rollads9267 Where tf are they gonna fit playgrounds 😂

[@dianaay6131]

The demolition process is very impressive! They brought the whole viaduct down so fast and in such an orderly fashion! Especially considering just how close they were to buildings, businesses, and ongoing traffic. They didn't waste any resources and found a way to do it that would permit the flow of traffic to continue safely.

[@gregchapman5556]

An absolutely outstanding demolition job 👏👏

[@DI-tj3lb]

Hope no one got hurt on the job. Incredible progress. Alaskan way looks clean and spacious

[@roderickfemm8799]

San Francisco tore down its bayfront freeway (in front of the ferry terminal) after it was damaged in the 1989 earthquake. Best thing done in SF in a long time, along with part of the central freeway taken out for the same reason. Neither of them were replaced with anything except revised traffic patterns on city streets.

[@97SEMTEX]

Its not often I look at big infrastructure projects and think about the time, labour and resources needed to do these things, but this video gave me a real sense of the task stop hand in quite a short time frame. Well done to the video maker and the people who did the job to make the video possible in the first place.

[@englishruraldoggynerd]

Wow..... an awesome video showing what can be achieved with the right planning, approach and environmental protection. The rental values of those buildings will skyrocket now they have actual water views! Great job, thanks for making such an interesting vijeo. 👍🏻

[@marcusaton3007]

I lost count of the number of times I said, "Wow..."

[@irongoatrocky2343]

While I will miss the view driving north on it its good to see this old noisy, not so safe to drive on, eyesore go! nothing lasts forever!

[@seanbutterfield1]

Thanks to all the hardworking folks who did this difficult and dangerous work with extraordinary precision and care. The working class both build AND unbuild our world. It's time they had the political power in our city, state, and nation. Workers of the world unite!

[@kellyhernandez6617]

wow I am impressed with the video, I can only imagine the level of commitment of all the staff.

[@ndahaiarenas9368]

They did in less than a year... Wow, in my city SCT built a 400m ramp in over 2 years 😰

[@curtisbme]

WSDOT can take things down fast... Building, not so much..

[@chansaechao79]

I'm gonna miss the view travelling North on this magnificent stretch of highway.

[@MojaveNarrows]

What a huge undertaking! Good for you, Seattle!!

[@pattycarljackson]

its honestly nice to see states and cities revamping their towns an cities in a good way and making it more pleasing for the residents.

[@titorojas333]

I’m a resident of the City of Seattle and to be honest the tunnels looks amazing; however, it has not fixed the traffic congestion....it made it worse! However, in November of 2019 all drivers must pay to used the tunnels....not sure if our taxpayers $$$ was invested wisely! Do something to decongest traffic.....increase the speed limit but seriously do something WSDOT!!!!!

[@mylesgray3470]

Big cities around the would have given up on boosting traffic flow and they are actually making driving more expensive, slower, and less convenient with “road diets”. US cites are following the examples of London, Paris, and Amsterdam which have far less cars per capita and far greater population density using trains and busses. This makes cities much more walkable and livable without car ownership. Love it or hate it, it’s the wave of the future.

[@texasred2702]

@@mylesgray3470 unless of course you're one of the peasants who would like to have actual children instead of dogs and can't afford what passes for affordable housing in Seattle or got priced out to Everett or Thurston County years ago, in which case, you can either 1) take the commuter train that doesn't exist in your area, 2) get up at 4 AM and take a series of buses on the same congested roads to reach your job that starts at 8 or 3) get up at 5 and follow #2, except in your own car. Or you can do what I did for 10 years and work graveyard shift. Either way, you'll never see your kids, but you'll have the privilege of teaching the kids of the city folks, policing their streets or delivering their packages--until you wise up and leave for a state governed by practicality rather than Utopian fantasy--kind of like the mass exodus from New York and Los Angeles. THAT'S the real wave of the future, Seattle.

[@mylesgray3470]

Texas Red I’m a 36 year old single engineer living in Lynnwood with a roommate. This city just seems too expensive to have children. I often wonder what I’m doing with my life living here. Oh well, such is life!

[@jjabram7772]

Myles Gray Why don’t you try to move to Canada, there are some good stuff, more safe, free healthcare, much cheaper rent, you can rent a nice 1b1b apart in Richmond(20 mins to DT Vancouver) around $1300CAD($950USD)

[@cybertrk]

More tunnels! This time hire the Boring Company! $1m per mile cost I believe.

[@belogio]

Well, I live on the area and have been watching them take it down for a few months now. It will certainly open up a lot of new opportunity with it gone, but I'll also kinda miss it, just sense it's always been there.

[@mikehughes5800]

That’s impressive destructive engineering. And what a huge improvement. I hope more cities follow this path.

[@jimhodapp7958]

Chicago needs to follow suit by taking down Lake Shore Drive. A 4-5 lane highway on either side blocking direct access to Lake Michigan in most places. I hate this highway SO much.

[@mikehughes5800]

@@jimhodapp7958 just learned Syracuse NY is taking there’s down. So, it could happen. They’ve learned that the cost to keep is higher than taking them down. It divides neighborhoods, is an eyesore, and prevents community development, especially if it blocks waterfronts.

[@vallejokid1968]

Great video. Amazing work and coordination by the contractor. It felt like this project just started and you’re already done.

[@HandsomeLongshanks]

I'm more impressed they showed almost no homeless camps in the video, I think they had 1 in there for a few frames but I'm too lazy to check.

[@tomrogers9467]

Like the homeless: too lazy to work!

[@The.Drunk-Koala]

@@tomrogers9467 lol

[@philipcooper8297]

Gran Turismo's Seattle track will never be the same.

[@AlejandroGutierrez-lg9ve]

These time-lapse videos show the step-by-step progress of the construction phases, giving a clear picture of how the project evolved over time.

[@revolutionaryprepper4076]

Wow, that's quite an accomplishment. To remove onramps and offramps and even a tunnel, without using dynamite! This was a well orchestrated demolition. They did all of this with people and buildings very close by and without causing any damage to the nearby buildings or people! Great job, very good!

[@jmc9317]

I loved to drive Alaskan way and it's sad that I cant drive anymore but also exciting to drive new tunnel!

[@michelleburkholder2547]

My son witnessed a driver of a scooter crash and was thrown over the edge to his death about 3 years ago. I'm so glad it's gone.

[@tsapp2831]

You'll pay to drive the tunnel $$$

[@user-bc3pc5gu2y]

@@tsapp2831 but the view from the tunnel is worth it.

[@tsapp2831]

@@user-bc3pc5gu2y lol

[@Menelik.videos]

@@user-bc3pc5gu2y hahahaha...

[@passiton3801]

Such a difference. With the ugly monstrosities gone. The city waterfront looks so much better now.

[@karenitzelruano8369]

Truly, this video is interesting from beginning to end, and I was very surprised by the before and after of the work done!

[@guidosarduci6664]

That is amazing engineering and coordination to do a project like this. Great job! Looks fantastic. Opens up the waterfront to new investment and developments.

[@sxerosie]

Hats off to the construction crew, what a job!

[@alexanderritchie5845]

Don’t know if ‘construction crew’ is the right term here :P

[@mayspondmogul]

Thanks guys goodjob👍 The waterfronts going to be so much quieter wo the Viaduct traffic and demo work. Cant wait til its landscaped final state.

[@Boatyarddog]

Thank you City planners and crew! The Waterfront looks so much better now from the Water. Seattle has gained much from the Trials And Tribulations of this Immense undertaking. Bravo‼️⛵️

[@georgejetson3588]

You are delusional.

[@Boatyarddog]

George Jetson. With a Name Like George Jetson? We ALL know Who the Delusional One Truly Is‼️ DONLD TRUMP‼️‼️‼️CRAZY MAN LITTLE MELTDOWN MAN😩

[@yetthejet]

I use to drive the viaduct every morning Mon-Fri to work at Pier 91. I left Seatown in 1994 with the viaduct still intact. Watching this video, I get a nostalgic feeling while at the same time I want to see the new open view.

[@stefawn4042]

Finally that nasty thing is gone. Can't wait to see more improvements to the area.

[@thomasthompson6378]

Yes, yes. You're right. Still . . .

[@Paul-21]

Benaiah Ahmadinejad uneducated minorities? Do you think the new generation is stupid or something? You, the old generation has done NOTHING for America.

[@philipclayberg4928]

I sincerely hope that "improvements" don't include more waterfront condos. Quite enough of those already.

[@mauserdave]

Ought to start on the disaster called the hwy 16 interchange in Tacoma next. Get it out of there by the Tacoma dome and reduce congestion by a couple hundred percent through there.

[@RocketDog0066]

And while you're at it, add to your list a few other road / bridge mistakes in Tacoma which is so disconnected from the waterfront that is so near, but so far away.

[@curtisbme]

No way. I like all the roads around that section of i5. I look at like War Driver training for our coming Mad Max future

[@mauserdave]

Hahaha hell yeah but maybe in my pickup not my mustang

[@puffpuffin1]

Not sure if comments are filtered/censored or what, but Seattlelites may think I'm seeing my comment through rose colored glasses, but here goes... I have been following this project for a while on KZbin and it continues to amaze me the the comments in these videos are relatively civil. You have the drivers who miss the convenience and views and then you have the urbanists who want to revive/traffic calm/pedestrianize the waterfront. It seems like mostly everyone is tactful and not destroying each other. There are a few hater attackers that I have thumbed down, but I am surprised by the few emotional attacks on each other about this very personal topic. Compare that to freeway debates in San Francisco. I think the Embarcadero is better without the freeway and enjoy that it has become. Everything is civil at that point. However, there were cons too. Areas were affected by the freeway removal (Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman' Wharf) were noticeable. I was familiar with Chinatown most and seeing it change to more of a tourist attraction was heartbreaking. Whenever this is point is brought up, the hate, personal attacks, anti-Chinese racist comments come pouring out by the far left (i.e. the "progressives"). It's like you can't have a balanced talk with them. ("Balance" is a dirty vilified word to the progressives) If the facts don't fit the progressive ideology, it's not a fact and the attacks start up. Another example is the progressives always claiming that traffic disappeared when the freeway was gone. Not true. Traffic only diverted to the city streets which were undercapacity at the time as city traffic officials explained many times over the years. Progressives will usually spin it some way to downplay it, lie, or spew out their hateful (and anti-Chinese racist) comments. I was quite shocked but glad at the same time to see people actually (mostly) respecting each other. Congrats!

[@merrywalsh2809]

I lived downtown, four blocks up from all this. WSDOT rocks! They have to be the best DOT in the nation.

[@MrGbutter]

What a shame, I drove that route to work everyday going from Green lake to Harbor Island for over 9 years. I 5 wasn't compete yet. The exit to West Seattle was just a incomplete road. When ever I think of Seattle I always think of Hwy 99 viaduct. Good by Seattle.

[@Menelik.videos]

It's sad, but everything must and do change.

[@urlkrueger]

A Billion whatever well spent. Makes the waterfront area look clean and fresh befitting the Seattle image.

[@jesusofmalibu4946]

Now to use that water to rinse all the piss off the streets and to wash away the homeless

[@PNWDOM]

This was amazing, thanks for sharing!

[@stevepashley795]

What a fantastic transformation. Well done Seattle

[@RobMiami787]

I'm in Florida I feel the relief Of clearer-air here Definitely an old friend I parked under her - free- for all parking pretty much drove on her Watched over her from the Norton building Constantly hear the constant clap clap clap clap Plus throw in the local coffee roaster that always made the air smells so bitter and acrid Generally scary as h e double toothpicks to drive but the view driving north SeaTac - DT was priceless. Hats off to Seattle for moving into the future

[@DDumbrille]

So you fell for the scare tactics pushed by the state and the city? Even after the viaduct had just been retrofitted? Sad...

[@dan428]

DouglassD uh it wasnt scare tactics that thing was a death trap waiting to strike

[@sunshinezydeco7778]

Cost more to build a park than to retro-fit. What a shame...wont find me using the underground or park in our earthquake country!

[@rosalieholland25]

DouglassD Are you willing to promote the viaduct still being around and then the big earthquake hits; they would have no choice but to take it away.

[@RobMiami787]

The snarky comments are cracking me up I logged my time Seattle 1982 to 1993 Plus some Nothing was going on in Seattle in 82 You could fly I-5 Seattle from Snohomish & Evrett in the morning I lived on West Casino Road w the Boeing factory my next door neighbor SEA town has all grown up!! I'm not missing the action believe me

[@rulestein]

When do the power poles come down?

[@broneetube]

Probably as part of the major Alaskan Way reconstruction project.

[@wsdot]

This would be a question for the Waterfront Seattle group. Here's some info: waterfrontseattle.org/

[@abrahamtov364]

I grew up with the Alaskan way viaduct and now it is gone. I have to say it does look better now along the waterfront. Can't go back now.

[@diegogallegos5456]

That is amazing engineering and coordination to do a project like this.Great job