Did Seattle Build the Best Pedestrian Bridge Ever
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Date: 2025-01-11
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Comments and reviews: 20
AaronSmith-kt2fs
Seattle guy here. The drama that accompanied the decision to take down the viaduct was truly next level, even for us. Now that it’s nearly complete (it = new Aquarium, underground highway, the underwater seawall that prevents the city from sliding down to a watery grave at the bottom of the Sound, the new surface streets, ferry terminal, pedestrian bridges, landscaping, buried electrical lines, and more) it’s impressive. It’s like an entirely different city, sunny, people everywhere, no intensely loud highway noise flying above your head, no concrete chunks crashing down from the dilapidated death chamber in the sky that was like a 1. 1 magnitude earth- hiccup away from complete structural failure. An incredible transformation.
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Seattle guy here. The drama that accompanied the decision to take down the viaduct was truly next level, even for us. Now that it’s nearly complete (it = new Aquarium, underground highway, the underwater seawall that prevents the city from sliding down to a watery grave at the bottom of the Sound, the new surface streets, ferry terminal, pedestrian bridges, landscaping, buried electrical lines, and more) it’s impressive. It’s like an entirely different city, sunny, people everywhere, no intensely loud highway noise flying above your head, no concrete chunks crashing down from the dilapidated death chamber in the sky that was like a 1. 1 magnitude earth- hiccup away from complete structural failure. An incredible transformation.
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JessethebestJesse
What a great piece of urbanism! A very similar project is the City to Sea Bridge in Wellington, New Zealand, which connects the city's main square with it's waterfront, spanning over a major road. It was built in the 1990's and is a wonderful pubic space in it's own right, and has become much loved by the local community. Sadly the city now wants to demolish it as it is apparently poses a risk in a major earthquake. There is much debate about whether to replace it at vast expense, or reintroduce a grade-level crossing. If you wanted to do a southern-hemisphere oriented video, looking at this and the development of Wellington's excellent waterfront in general would be really interesting!
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What a great piece of urbanism! A very similar project is the City to Sea Bridge in Wellington, New Zealand, which connects the city's main square with it's waterfront, spanning over a major road. It was built in the 1990's and is a wonderful pubic space in it's own right, and has become much loved by the local community. Sadly the city now wants to demolish it as it is apparently poses a risk in a major earthquake. There is much debate about whether to replace it at vast expense, or reintroduce a grade-level crossing. If you wanted to do a southern-hemisphere oriented video, looking at this and the development of Wellington's excellent waterfront in general would be really interesting!
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declanandrews4802
am i crazy or does $70 million seem incredibly cheap for this Its only been up for two months and I've been there 10 times. I've literally made 4 trips downtown (on light rail from the new Shoreline North station) for the sole purpose of visiting the overlook. The first two just to visit the overlook, once to go to the new aquarium building inside the overlook walk, and once to get drinks at one of the h it Its only been up for two months and I've been there 10 times. Once the bike lane is finished and Victor Steinbruek park is released from its chainlink prison, everything from Pike Place to the waterfront will be amazing
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am i crazy or does $70 million seem incredibly cheap for this Its only been up for two months and I've been there 10 times. I've literally made 4 trips downtown (on light rail from the new Shoreline North station) for the sole purpose of visiting the overlook. The first two just to visit the overlook, once to go to the new aquarium building inside the overlook walk, and once to get drinks at one of the h it Its only been up for two months and I've been there 10 times. Once the bike lane is finished and Victor Steinbruek park is released from its chainlink prison, everything from Pike Place to the waterfront will be amazing
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tjtribble.
The views are phenomenal but the most underrated part of the bridge is how it connects what was already there. Pike Place and the Aquarium used to be two separate trips for me, but when I was first exploring the bridge I accidentally walked into Pike Place. The two places weren’t far apart but it was never worth the effort of crossing the street. Now if I’m going to one side I almost always see the other, and I imagine that’s the case for a lot of people too. Even if the bridge wasn’t as beautiful as it is the effect it has on the activity in the area is huge.
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The views are phenomenal but the most underrated part of the bridge is how it connects what was already there. Pike Place and the Aquarium used to be two separate trips for me, but when I was first exploring the bridge I accidentally walked into Pike Place. The two places weren’t far apart but it was never worth the effort of crossing the street. Now if I’m going to one side I almost always see the other, and I imagine that’s the case for a lot of people too. Even if the bridge wasn’t as beautiful as it is the effect it has on the activity in the area is huge.
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Cris-gt2sd
The Alaskan Way Viaduct didn't cut Seattle off from it's waterfront anymore than this overpriced pedestrian bridge does; it was elevated all the way from SODO to the Battery St tunnel. And for all the idiots claiming it was unsafe; the same type of construction is used in the elevated portions of I5 so the State (it wasn't the City's decision, STATE ROUTE 99 was replaced by WSDOT) will have to figure out a way to address the seismic concerns on that freeway. Unfortunately, the State shot it's transpo budget wad on a pointless urban renewal project.
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The Alaskan Way Viaduct didn't cut Seattle off from it's waterfront anymore than this overpriced pedestrian bridge does; it was elevated all the way from SODO to the Battery St tunnel. And for all the idiots claiming it was unsafe; the same type of construction is used in the elevated portions of I5 so the State (it wasn't the City's decision, STATE ROUTE 99 was replaced by WSDOT) will have to figure out a way to address the seismic concerns on that freeway. Unfortunately, the State shot it's transpo budget wad on a pointless urban renewal project.
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deldarel
That's lovely! It looks like a great hang spot, which is exactly why the highline works and the vessel doesn't.
I'm amazed at the speed this was created! This looks like something that could take 5 years of course, but realistically would take a decade to get to 60%, only to never be finished.
I'll disagree on that the lack of similar sized buildings is a con. Over here, you're there for the view, which is at odds with the cosy enclosure (enclosy. The gezellige spaces can be elsewhere in the city (and should be, in high numbers.
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That's lovely! It looks like a great hang spot, which is exactly why the highline works and the vessel doesn't.
I'm amazed at the speed this was created! This looks like something that could take 5 years of course, but realistically would take a decade to get to 60%, only to never be finished.
I'll disagree on that the lack of similar sized buildings is a con. Over here, you're there for the view, which is at odds with the cosy enclosure (enclosy. The gezellige spaces can be elsewhere in the city (and should be, in high numbers.
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davidpatteson3061
Thank you for this great story about the Overlook Walk. My son was working for Hoffman Construction, which which managed this project and was on site almost every day until his accidental death (that was not work related. It was amazing to watch this project unfold and how it was coordinated with the aquarium and other major projects occurring at the same time. It is hard to describe what the structure is like until you walk on it and sit on the amphitheater that overlooks the Puget Sound and Olympic Theater.
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Thank you for this great story about the Overlook Walk. My son was working for Hoffman Construction, which which managed this project and was on site almost every day until his accidental death (that was not work related. It was amazing to watch this project unfold and how it was coordinated with the aquarium and other major projects occurring at the same time. It is hard to describe what the structure is like until you walk on it and sit on the amphitheater that overlooks the Puget Sound and Olympic Theater.
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lightplane
I got to experience the new overlook when walking from the ferry terminal to my hotel. I loved it.
But. They missed the mark with the elevator. The structure is glass enclosed so from outside you can see the elevator. But the elevator cabin itself has no windows in it at all. So as you rode it you might as well be inside a building. I don't understand why the built a glass walled lift shaft then not put on a glass enclosed elevator. It's quite disappointing.
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I got to experience the new overlook when walking from the ferry terminal to my hotel. I loved it.
But. They missed the mark with the elevator. The structure is glass enclosed so from outside you can see the elevator. But the elevator cabin itself has no windows in it at all. So as you rode it you might as well be inside a building. I don't understand why the built a glass walled lift shaft then not put on a glass enclosed elevator. It's quite disappointing.
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javanconklin4699
I drive Alaskan way to work and I don't like how much of a cluster it is now; too many stop lights not timed well and the Seattle ferry terminal make this a nightmare to drive(especially with construction. I hope for everyone's sake the people in charge stream line the commute time. Currently they have lights that turn red without being triggered and they purposely make the next light turn red before you can get to it I can't walk to work so this is a problem
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I drive Alaskan way to work and I don't like how much of a cluster it is now; too many stop lights not timed well and the Seattle ferry terminal make this a nightmare to drive(especially with construction. I hope for everyone's sake the people in charge stream line the commute time. Currently they have lights that turn red without being triggered and they purposely make the next light turn red before you can get to it I can't walk to work so this is a problem
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larryalston6872
Born and raised in Seattle. And We Seattlites ( those born and raised here NOT THOSE WHOSE LIVED HERE FOR YEARS)
WE DON'T CARE FOR ALL THESE CRANES AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS. IT HAS KILLED OUR VIBE- AND BROUGHT IN PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLES WE ARE NOT ACCUSTOMED TOO AND THRIVED WITHOUT.
Waste of money! How about dump it into our FAILING SCHOOLS- GETTING HOMELESS OUT OF OUR PARKS- RE-ESTABLISH SEATTLE AS THE EMERALD CITY.
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Born and raised in Seattle. And We Seattlites ( those born and raised here NOT THOSE WHOSE LIVED HERE FOR YEARS)
WE DON'T CARE FOR ALL THESE CRANES AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS. IT HAS KILLED OUR VIBE- AND BROUGHT IN PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLES WE ARE NOT ACCUSTOMED TOO AND THRIVED WITHOUT.
Waste of money! How about dump it into our FAILING SCHOOLS- GETTING HOMELESS OUT OF OUR PARKS- RE-ESTABLISH SEATTLE AS THE EMERALD CITY.
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texanfournow
4: 33 You probably didn't want to be negative, but you did not mention, and I think is is important to consider, that the Vessel was almost immediately used by young folks to unalive themselves, something that probably could have been anticipated if it had been shown to psychologists or a focus group of health professionals ahead of implementation. I sincerely hope this debacle in public spaces is not replicated.
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4: 33 You probably didn't want to be negative, but you did not mention, and I think is is important to consider, that the Vessel was almost immediately used by young folks to unalive themselves, something that probably could have been anticipated if it had been shown to psychologists or a focus group of health professionals ahead of implementation. I sincerely hope this debacle in public spaces is not replicated.
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jayski9410
I used to work on Pier 66 on Seattle's waterfront in the 1990's and now I barely recognize the place. But this pedestrian bridge doesn't surprise me. In years past, Seattle has done some pretty creative freeway caps as park space and included water features in some. And I was always impressed with the little waterfall park that UPS created in the shell of the building where they were founded near Pioneer Square.
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I used to work on Pier 66 on Seattle's waterfront in the 1990's and now I barely recognize the place. But this pedestrian bridge doesn't surprise me. In years past, Seattle has done some pretty creative freeway caps as park space and included water features in some. And I was always impressed with the little waterfall park that UPS created in the shell of the building where they were founded near Pioneer Square.
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lisascenic
How’s the accessibility for folks with mobility issues Your use of the phrase when you climb down from made me wonder if you’d explored that aspect of this project. Because wow you sure don’t seem to acknowledge all the folks with kids in strollers, or with limited mobility.
If your viewer took a drink every time you implied that everyone can walk everywhere, they’re be hammered.
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How’s the accessibility for folks with mobility issues Your use of the phrase when you climb down from made me wonder if you’d explored that aspect of this project. Because wow you sure don’t seem to acknowledge all the folks with kids in strollers, or with limited mobility.
If your viewer took a drink every time you implied that everyone can walk everywhere, they’re be hammered.
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rahulbaidya7002
Visited Seattle on a road trip back in 2018 whne they were breaking down the freeway along the pier and was anticipating what would come of it. Roll now to Nov 2024 on my next Seattle trip, had a chance to visit this new crosswalk just beside Pikes Market. this thing is absolutely brilliant and provides such a nice way to view Pugest Sound, and so much more room to walk around the pier.
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Visited Seattle on a road trip back in 2018 whne they were breaking down the freeway along the pier and was anticipating what would come of it. Roll now to Nov 2024 on my next Seattle trip, had a chance to visit this new crosswalk just beside Pikes Market. this thing is absolutely brilliant and provides such a nice way to view Pugest Sound, and so much more room to walk around the pier.
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tabsterg
Reminder that the NY Abandoned Rail pedestrian bridge started out as a guerilla gardening project that was turned into actual use of the infrastructure instead of criminalized as property damage. This is how it looks when a community's right of self determination and to their city is respected instead of prioritizing private for profit motives like the 400 million suicide art piece tower
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Reminder that the NY Abandoned Rail pedestrian bridge started out as a guerilla gardening project that was turned into actual use of the infrastructure instead of criminalized as property damage. This is how it looks when a community's right of self determination and to their city is respected instead of prioritizing private for profit motives like the 400 million suicide art piece tower
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AndrewFanton
On a recent trip to NYC, my wife and I visited Hudson Yards and discovered the Vessel. The staircases were closed at the time, but honestly I’m not sure we would have bothered. At least at the ground level, the Vessel looks like it is completely surrounded by tall buildings and thus wouldn’t have a view worth climbing all those stairs for. It seems like a complete waste.
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On a recent trip to NYC, my wife and I visited Hudson Yards and discovered the Vessel. The staircases were closed at the time, but honestly I’m not sure we would have bothered. At least at the ground level, the Vessel looks like it is completely surrounded by tall buildings and thus wouldn’t have a view worth climbing all those stairs for. It seems like a complete waste.
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kevinmsft
Seattle throws away 70 million every QUARTER on homelessness services that absolutely don't solve anything.
The fact that we got this bridge in this utterly incompetent city is nothing but a miracle.
Also sharing a funny story in this theme: they took the bridge from Seattle Parks department and run it under a private Foundation because how bad the City government is.
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Seattle throws away 70 million every QUARTER on homelessness services that absolutely don't solve anything.
The fact that we got this bridge in this utterly incompetent city is nothing but a miracle.
Also sharing a funny story in this theme: they took the bridge from Seattle Parks department and run it under a private Foundation because how bad the City government is.
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jimkerritru
Thanks for this. Well done and informative. One suggestion: Slow down your verbal delivery. I found you hard to understand and less credible at your normal verbal speed - even though the content of your presentation was quite compelling. YT has a setting that allows viewers to slow down or speed up videos. At. 75 of normal speed, you were so much more effective.
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Thanks for this. Well done and informative. One suggestion: Slow down your verbal delivery. I found you hard to understand and less credible at your normal verbal speed - even though the content of your presentation was quite compelling. YT has a setting that allows viewers to slow down or speed up videos. At. 75 of normal speed, you were so much more effective.
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cw32587
absolute improvement from the viaduct days, but i'm still a little wary of just how. cementy it all feels. there's a lack of shade, a lot of big huge flat grey areas. hopefully some of the green features will grow in/be finished in the last few steps here. bit tough to express exactly what i mean. optimistic about seeing the truly final product & how it looks in full use.
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absolute improvement from the viaduct days, but i'm still a little wary of just how. cementy it all feels. there's a lack of shade, a lot of big huge flat grey areas. hopefully some of the green features will grow in/be finished in the last few steps here. bit tough to express exactly what i mean. optimistic about seeing the truly final product & how it looks in full use.
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timogul
I think it's nice to have a place to walk, I have a pleasant dirt road I can use to walk my dog, although I think $70m is way too much to spend on a walking path, and they should have come up with something simpler. Maybe just build the bridge portion and then require anyone who built new development in the area to also fund some small attraction space in front of it.
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I think it's nice to have a place to walk, I have a pleasant dirt road I can use to walk my dog, although I think $70m is way too much to spend on a walking path, and they should have come up with something simpler. Maybe just build the bridge portion and then require anyone who built new development in the area to also fund some small attraction space in front of it.
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