Alaskan Way Viaduct contract comes in at $93.7 million.
A contractor has been chosen to demolish the old Alaskan Way Viaduct, a 3 km overpass that runs through the city of Seattle and which is fast approaching its annihilation.
Kiewit Infrastructure West submitted the winning bid at $93.7 million, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced this week.
“It will be challenging to tear down a major highway in the heart of a booming city, but we’re looking forward to getting it done safely and as quickly as possible,” said WSDOT program administrator Brian Nielsen.
Demolition crews must cut and break apart brittle concrete within 25 feet of tech offices, a homeless-service center, historic brick buildings and a new apartment tower.
Screens or curtains are required, as are methods to limit ground vibrations. The state wouldn’t release technical details until a final contract is signed and more engineering is done.
Kiewit’s bid price is above WSDOT’s $83 million engineer’s estimate and within the agency’s planning range of $80 million to $100 million, spokeswoman Laura Newborn said.
The viaduct, which once carried more than 100,000 cars per day, will close permanently this fall, about three weeks before the new Highway 99 tunnel opens, bypassing downtown between Sodo and South Lake Union. During those weeks, surface ramps will be connected to the tunnel.
Major demolition would occur from January and last several months.
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