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October 1, 2008 2:32 PM

Alaskan Way Viaduct solutions

Posted by Ken Rosenthal

Build a freeway on the ground
There are a whole lot of ideas circling around for the Alaskan Way Viaduct, [".'Choppway' plan for viaduct," Local News, Sept. 26]. All come down to the same three options, though: Highway underground, highway aboveground or highway in pedestrians' way (the no-freeway option fits in this category).

Here's another idea: Put a freeway on the ground and build a big pedestrian bridge over the whole thing. This hides the freeway from view, like the tunnel, but is less expensive, like the bridges.

In fact, it would be cheaper than the aerial-freeway options, because the pedestrian bridge wouldn't have to support the weight of cars and trucks. This bridge would perfectly match up with the uphill part of downtown, thanks to our hills.
-- Brian Schend, Bellingham

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