Traffic Payout

What would you do if you had exclusive access to the Alaskan Way Viaduct for 30 minutes, free of cars and people? Maybe celebrate a birthday, propose to your significant other or play flag football? That’s what we want to know.

We are sponsoring a contest where one lucky person and 24 of their friends will win access to the viaduct’s downtown section for 30 minutes on Oct. 22. Starting Oct. 21, the viaduct will be closed for nine-days in order to demolish the southern mile and transfer traffic onto the new southbound bridge that is nearly complete. 

To enter, answer the question “What would I do with 30 minutes on the Alaskan Way Viaduct?” in 100 words or less and send it to viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov by Sunday, Oct. 16. Entries will be judged on how original, creative and fun they are. The winner will be escorted to a private section of the viaduct at a predetermined time to follow through with their plan. Check the WSDOT website for contest details, rules and restrictions.

For those who don’t win the contest, and anyone else interested in spending a little time on the viaduct before it’s demolished, there’ll be a commemorative walk on Saturday, Oct. 22. This is a perfect opportunity to get a firsthand perspective as this historic event unfolds. Attendees can also take home a commemorative piece of the viaduct.

We have a lot of work to do on the viaduct from the demolition site in SODO all the way to the Battery Street Tunnel, and you’ll see much of it in action (including demolition) if you participate in the walk.  We worked with the contractor to find a time and place that lets crews stay on schedule and stays out of the way of construction activities.

Commemorative walk on the viaduct

• When: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (celebration continues until 2 p.m.) Saturday, Oct. 22
• Where: Construction area north of 1051 First Ave. S. (Google, Bing)
• Elected officials make formal remarks and celebrate this major milestone at 1 p.m.
• No RSVPs are required, but some restrictions apply. Please wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for late October weather. No pets or bicycles are allowed on the structure. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The event will be ADA accessible. 
• Parking is available for cars and bicycles in the fenced construction site just south of Railroad Way South and on adjacent city streets and in nearby pay lots.
• We encourage attendees to take light rail, or the bus. The closest light rail stop is Stadium Station.