Where did all the cars go?’ Seattle’s traffic unexpectedly thinned during dreaded highway closure
Seattle was bracing itself for "Viadoom" when its main highway was set to close. Instead, residents saw an unprecedented drop in the number of cars on the road.
Seattle was bracing itself for “Viadoom” when its main highway was set to close. Instead, residents saw an unprecedented drop in the number of cars on the road.
The Alaskan Way Viaduct closed on Jan. 11 to make way for a tunnel, and since then, locals have started walking, biking and taking public transit rather than driving alternative routes.
“The Viadoom’s lack of doom may seem surprising, but it really shouldn’t be,” wrote Matt Casale, our national network’s transportation campaign director. “Locals are getting out of their cars and finding other ways to get around. It’s healthier, it’s more sustainable and it’s more efficient.”
Seattle spent $3.1 billion on the tunnel highway project when it could have spent far less making the city more transit-friendly. Unfortunately, the new highway will likely bring more cars along with it. “If you build it they will come,” said Matt.
Photo Caption: Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct used to carry 90,000 cars per day before it closed on January 11.
Photo Credit: Washington State Department of Transportation
