Through-way is an effective option

I have been closely following the debate regarding solving the dilemma of what to do with the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

My home town was Philadelphia, Pa. This large city has had a freeway running along its western border, flowing north and south, for years. There is also a major arterial highway on its eastern shore of the Delaware River, also running north to south.

In recent years they have solved the problem of linking these two arterials by digging a deep trench through the center of the city from the west to the east. A large amount of traffic flows through this trench and it is hardly noticed by pedestrians or other city traffic. Wherever there are cross streets, bridges are built over the trench so as to not interrupt surface traffic.

This system works wonderfully and really expedites traffic flow. The cost of such a through-way could well be a fraction of what a tunnel would cost. It also does not detract from the general aesthetics of the downtown area. Has anyone here ever considered such a simple proposal? Maybe the city should consider sending some transportation specialists to Philadelphia to observe their solution and to talk with Philadelphia’s transportation authorities concerning cost and the value of their uncovered trench through-way. It might save a lot of money. There could easily be pedestrian-access crossings in place in Seattle for transit from downtown to the waterfront.

Hermann E. Wild

Lake Stevens