VIDEO: See what’s left to do before Highway 99 tunneling resumes

If you’ve wondered what’s happened in the six weeks since the repaired cutterhead was lowered back into the Highway 99 tunneling machine’s “access pit” – and what’s left to do before Seattle Tunnel Partners turns it back on again – that video should answer your questions. It’s provided by WSDOT and narrated by STP’s Chris Dixon, who’s in charge of the project. We’re also expecting to hear a status report at the quarterly Highway 99 stakeholders’ meeting later today. (And yes, according to a recent city doc, transportation officials are still expecting to close the Alaskan Way Viaduct for about a week and a half while the tunnel machine passes directly beneath it. No way to know when that’ll be until the machine again gets going, and stays going – it’s currently “forecast” for February.)

Tim October 7, 2015 (5:33 pm)

That’s sure to crowd up 1st Ave and of course stating the obvious.

shed22 October 7, 2015 (8:14 pm)

Informational and wild! I really hope this works.

Born on Alki 59 October 8, 2015 (9:16 am)

Wow, a total re-engineering of Bertha. And only 80 million over estimated repair cost so far. I think the time has come to rename her. It’s an insult to Bertha Knight…..

Erika October 8, 2015 (10:10 am)

Is there a plan to move traffic through Seattle when the viaduct is shut down?

WSB October 8, 2015 (10:16 am)

WSDOT and the city say they’re working on it.

Lez October 8, 2015 (10:31 pm)

Like you didn’t consider traffic on downtown streets and I5 when you voted this ridiculous project in? Oh wait wr didn’t vote it in. We were GUARANTEED no cost overuns by our beloved mayor and govennor, neither of which are around to be accountable. Love the liberals

WSB October 8, 2015 (10:39 pm)

Lez, not all liberals supported the tunnel and not all tunnel supporters were liberals. Your comment sent me back to the 2009 tunnel-bill-signing event at the Seattle Aquarium, which I covered. Whether pro- or anti-tunnel, I think just about anyone might cringe a bit to view the last video clip in the story. https://westseattleblog.com/2009/05/happening-now-alaskan-way-viaducttunnel-bill-signing-event/

Rick October 9, 2015 (7:00 am)

Is that 80,000,000.00 (I love zeros) over the estimated repair cost? And how many zeros did the repairs cost? My love affair with zeros is waning,I’m considering a tryst with a financially responsible city. Call me names if you will,just shows you’ve lost your argument.

Rick October 9, 2015 (10:14 am)

Anybody?

kobdvs October 9, 2015 (11:36 am)

@Lez … unimpressed by your rant. Many of us NON-liberals understand that the tunnel project is necessary and was the correct choice. As I always say to opponents of this project – what was YOUR solution?
.
None of the other options were viable or made any sense. I get it – people are frustrated by the delay and it remains to be seen how effectively WSDOT will be in handling STP’s claims … but from what I read of the lawsuit in NY by STP’S insurers, as a taxpayer, I’m feeling better about WSDOT’s chances. So I’m willing to watch and see how the money plays out.

Rick October 9, 2015 (12:07 pm)

kobdvs-horse in the race? Let me know,I’ll bet on it since that is where the money is.

Born on Alki 59 October 9, 2015 (12:38 pm)

Tuesday Kiro 7 news reported we are currently $80 million over stp’s initial repair estimates. Not sure where they got that figure.

WSB October 9, 2015 (12:50 pm)

The number actually originates with a story first reported by Mike Lindblom at the Times, so if you saw it on a TV newscast, they did what they usually do, copied it, and should have attributed it. Anyway, http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/state-says-idled-bertha-may-add-78m-to-its-cost-for-tunnel/

wetone October 9, 2015 (3:01 pm)

There were many options for this section of roadway. This tunnel design was the worst and most $$$$$$ by far. Only winners in this deal are the developers, companies involved with demo, design and build of said projects. Oh don’t forget the many involved within our government that pushed this project on the public with false facts and bad due diligence. This project when done will have accomplished ZERO for improving traffic issues in Seattle. It will make things worse for 95% of people that need to travel in/through Seattle for work or pleasure. Vehicle capacity will be less than original roadway, little option wise for increasing capacity, adding ingress/egress options and don’t forget TOLLS and increased taxes, property and more to help pay for all the blunders in this project and many others. Problems noted above will push much more traffic onto surface streets through out area, downtown corridor and I-5. Don’t forget to add all the population growth Seattle’s government is pushing/allowing, very little infrastructure improvements, road diets…. People in Seattle and especially WS think traffic’s bad now just wait if/when tunnel opens, as they say “you ain’t seen nothing yet” ;)

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