Make a detour

摘要

In 2001, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook Seattle, damaging one of the city's most important north-south traffic connections, the State Rte. 99 Alaskan Way viaduct. Built in the 1950s, the viaduct skirts Seattle's downtown waterfront, carrying more than 100,000 vehicles a day. Following the Nisqually earthquake, regular inspections documented continuous and severe settlement damage to the viaduct, which was already nearing the end of its expected life span. Geological scientists were predicting a high probability of renewed seismic action within the next decade, which could further compromise or collapse the structure. To ensure the safety of motorists, it was time to take action.