In January 2009, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, former King County Executive Ron Sims, and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced their recommendation to replace the central waterfront portion of the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct and adjacent seawall. The recommendation includes a bored tunnel beneath downtown, a new waterfront surface street, transit investments, and city street and waterfront improvements.

This drive-through simulation shows a design concept for the proposed SR 99 bored tunnel, the route it would follow beneath downtown Seattle and the connections that would be provided at the tunnel's north and south portals.

Gov. Gregoire signed legislation in May 2009 that provides funding for the proposed bored tunnel. The program team is working on environmental review plans and other contracting work, so tunnel construction can begin in 2011. More information regarding the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program is available at www.alaskanwayviaduct.org. (less info)