Seattle Viaduct Sinking as Workers Try to Reach Bertha

The Alaskan Way Viaduct is collapsing unevenly raising concerns about damaging the elevated freeway and nearby buildings

SeattlePI.com

The ground beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct is collapsing unevenly, which is raising concerns about damaging the elevated freeway and nearby buildings of Pioneer Square. According to DOT workers inovled in the Route 99 tunnel project, the ground has settle more than one inch since Thanksgiving.

Groundwater removal near a repair pit bind dug to rescue the stalled Bertha is the suspected problem. Dewatering can cause consolidation of the ground, so for the time being crews have stopped pumping out the water.

The DOT has not identified any significant new damage in the work zone and the Viaduct is still considered safe.

(more on Seattle's concerns over ground settlement...)

 

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