Party on the Alaskan Way Viaduct? WSDOT launches contest

The first full day of the Alaskan Way Viaduct shutdown, WSDOT is setting aside a half-hour on the love-it-or-hate-it span for a contest winner and two dozen of her/his friends. It’s an essay contest – read on for details (and for what you might call a consolation prize that is available even if you don’t enter the contest) :

What would you do if you had the Alaskan Way Viaduct all to yourself for 30 minutes, free of cars and people? Maybe celebrate a birthday, propose to your significant other or stage a flash mob? That’s what the Washington State Department of Transportation wants to know.

WSDOT is sponsoring a contest where one lucky person and 24 of their friends will win exclusive access to the Viaduct’s downtown section for 30 minutes on Oct. 22. The southern mile of the Viaduct closes for nine days for demolition starting Oct. 21.

To enter, answer the question “What would I do with 30 minutes on the Alaskan Way Viaduct?” in 100 words or less and send it to viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov by Sunday, Oct. 16. The winner will be escorted to a private section of the viaduct at a predetermined time to follow through with their plan. Check the WSDOT website for contest details, rules and restrictions.

For those who don’t win the contest, and anyone else interested in spending a little time on the viaduct before it’s demolished, there’ll be a commemorative walk on Saturday, Oct. 22. This is a perfect opportunity to get a firsthand perspective as this historic event unfolds.

A portion of the top deck near the stadiums will be open to watch as crews demolish large sections of the viaduct, as well as enjoy great views of the city from the structure that helped shape Seattle’s waterfront. Attendees will also be able to take home a commemorative piece of the viaduct.

Commemorative walk on the Viaduct

· When: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (celebration continues until 2 p.m.) Saturday, Oct. 22

· Where: Construction area north of 1051 First Ave. S.

· Elected officials help celebrate this major milestone at 1 p.m.

· No RSVPs are required, but some restrictions apply. Please wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for late October weather. No pets or bicycles are allowed on the structure. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The event will be ADA accessible.

· Parking is available in the fenced construction site just south of Railroad Way South and on adjacent city streets and in nearby pay lots.

I Love The Viaduct October 5, 2011 (4:32 pm)

Well, I won’t enter. I always see contests that include the line “for a contest winner and two dozen of her/his friends”. I barely have 2 friends (3 if pets are included) so it would be impossible for me to find 24 people.

Sounds fun though.

WSB October 5, 2011 (5:32 pm)

I Love – so enter anyway. We’ll put out a call on WSB for participants if you win. Heck, if we weren’t in the news biz, we’d enter ourselves. As it is, we’ll just plan on the public afterparty …

NYK October 5, 2011 (4:36 pm)

Couldn’t we just use these nearly four hours to get the Viaduct reopened sooner?

G October 5, 2011 (4:49 pm)

There go the great views of Seattle, the waterfront, the Sound and the mountains.
Taking the viaduct has been a few minutes
of great scenery for millions of drivers, including myself who grew up here.

Can’t believe it’s going to be gone. RIP.

dr who October 5, 2011 (5:17 pm)

I thought our city was broke…i’d assume the limo ride is part of the viaduct budget…

Mike October 5, 2011 (5:44 pm)

The Viaduct is an eye sore. If you are driving and enjoying the skyline, you are a hazzard on the Viaduct.

LyndaB October 5, 2011 (6:06 pm)

Count me in. The two years I walked on the viaduct for the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk was the best time. I will miss the views dearly.

John October 5, 2011 (6:43 pm)

Stupid is as stupid does. F.G.

Angela October 5, 2011 (6:46 pm)

A half hour? So after my 24 friends and I drive down, find and possibly pay for parking we get to only a half hour there? No thanks.

k October 5, 2011 (7:52 pm)

: (

hammondbacon October 5, 2011 (7:57 pm)

I’ll enter. If I win, I’ll collect a hundred bucks from 23 other people. The Donald would be most proud of me. I’d charge him a thousand bucks, though. That’s thirty-two hundred dollars in thirty minutes or sixty-four hundred dollars hourly rate.

austin October 5, 2011 (8:53 pm)

Hammond does the math.

Tuesday October 5, 2011 (9:49 pm)

Oh yes, another critical service for the fine residents of Seattle… A genius waste of public employee time and therefore tax dollars. Lunacy.

But for sure we should pay a fee for road maintenance. Yes. This all makes perfect sense.

AJP October 5, 2011 (9:50 pm)

That’s cool. I did one of their hardhat tours during a shut-down for inspection. That was fun!

austin October 5, 2011 (10:13 pm)

Tuesday complains without contributing.

wsguy October 6, 2011 (1:07 am)

Let,s see if I can get this right. The State says
We are broke must cut services to every body and it’s just heart breaking but desperate times take desperate measures. Hummmmmm

JD October 6, 2011 (6:35 am)

I think it’s an awesome contest and have entered. Would be a wonderful and long lasting memory

JTK October 6, 2011 (7:32 am)

Did anyone else read this right?…. “WSDOT is sponsoring a contest where one lucky person and 24 of their friends will win exclusive access to the Viaduct’s downtown section for 30 minutes on Oct. 22. The southern mile of the Viaduct closes for nine days for demolition starting Oct. 21.”

The closure happens on the 21st. Then they are allowing people to mill around for the next day? off and on……

Did they close it early so people could gawk for the weekend. Personally I would rather they close it for less days in a row…. there is enough grid lock in this city, I personally would rather be screwed for LESS days going to and from work…
Anyone else?

Fiona October 6, 2011 (9:25 am)

Really! You’re going to knock the folks that came up with a no cost way to engage Seattle-ites for a moment of fun! BTW, they’re not the “STATE”, they are fellow Seattleites, even West Seattleites.
And don’t you think that with a bizzillion feet of asphalt, they can find a few for 25 people in a controlled and safe environment, without halting work? All you haters can be under the viaduct listening to the beat of my feet while I’m dancing on the top, were I to win!

dsa October 6, 2011 (10:27 am)

I’m usually supportive of WSDOT, but this idea is nuts. It looks to me more like they are trying to put a positive spin on wrecking the transportation corridor.