2 Alaskan Way Viaduct notes, including next weekend’s shutdown

Two Alaskan Way Viaduct notes tonight: First, the man who oversees the entire project – including the controversial tunnel plan – will be the next guest speaker for the Rotary Club of West Seattle; Ron Paananen is scheduled to speak at noon Tuesday at Salty’s on Alki. (Guests are welcome at the lunch meetings; call the club at 206-718-9401 for info, or e-mail with the form on this page.) Second, next weekend is the semiannual maintenance shutdown for The Viaduct – 6 am-6 pm each day, Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20.

Allen March 13, 2011 (7:38 pm)

Every time someone wants to run a race or walk for a cause the city shuts down our viaduct. It is obvious that West Seattle means nothing to the city. So..now they want to tear down our viaduct.

Why don’t we begin now…to to develop a plan to secede from Seattle and join Burien as a Super City north of Federal Way?

West Seattle has, sadly, become a forgotten neighborhood.

Love to hear opinions on this…

D. Wulkan March 13, 2011 (8:31 pm)

I’m more concerned with the vulnerability and safety of the viaduct. It’s been 10 years since the last earthquake. That thing is still up there, a potential threat to everyone who drives it. And the previous mayor, the current mayor, community activists, and others obstruct progress to tear it down and come up with a safe alternative. At this point I do not care–a tunnel, a roadway, a rebuilt viaduct, just do something! These people will have blood on their hands of that viaduct collapses.

hatcher March 13, 2011 (8:59 pm)

I am not thrilled about the tunnel idea because of the cost, but I agree with you… Do something! It really is a safety concern and needs to be fixed now. At this point, we need to move forward asap.

Kara March 14, 2011 (1:56 pm)

Well, this time it’s closed for maintenance not an event, which I’m sure is greatly needed. Also, I’ve lived in West Seattle practically my whole life and you can leave so many different ways besides using the Viaduct…and I’m at the point where I don’t even care what they do just something.

Sorry, comment time is over.