The Alaskan Way viaduct continues to "settle" before our very eyes since it's initial damage caused by an earthquake about 7 years ago, but state transportation officials insist everything is going to be ok.
An inspection conducted last weekend revealed that it had "settled" another 3/8 of an inch, which brings the total to about 5 1/2 inches between Columbia Street and Yesler Way.
Deputy Transportation Secretary David L. Dye says the latest settling has not caused any additional damage and that repairs to strengthen four column foundations should keep the viaduct safe until 2012, when it is scheduled to be demolished.
"We've never felt safe driving on the viaduct," Seattlest writes of the situation, "New steel rods and the continued declaration of 'it's safe, it's safe, we swear! don't mind the settling...' doesn't do much to ease those fears."
I'm going to have to agree, I'm definitely a little freaked out myself, regardless of their attempts of sugar-coating the situation by referring to the viaduct as "settling".
