Goodbye Viaduct, Hello Tunnel!

After nearly twenty years of planning and debate, most of which we weren't here for, Seattle is at last ready to usher in a new era with the closure of the aging concrete viaduct, which has prevented the development of a vibrant downtown waterfront. It is being replaced by a tunnel that goes nearly 200 feet underground, between the stadium area and South Lake Union.

The tunnel opens for good on Monday, February 4, and the day before Seattle opened it up for a bike ride, and Mary Jo, Henry, and John took advantage, biking through the tunnel and down to the West Seattle bridge, then back up, and then through the old Battery Street Tunnel which connects to the Viaduct, along the upper level to the south and then back north on the lower level before ending back in South Lake Union. All in all it was a 12-mile ride.

It was very crowded but a great chance to experience the tunnel before it opens to cars!