WSDOT Simulations, the Tranquil Edition
If that Alaskan Way Viaduct earthquake simulation video left the coppery taste of panic in your mouth, we invite you to take in the relative placidity of some other WSDOT simulations. These design simulations show three proposed options (Options A, K, and L) for the new SR 520 bridge, and they're kind of incredibly relaxing.
Although the simulations were released this April, consider them the antidote to the sight of Seattle lit only by the flames of waterfront fires. Rather than showing major roads collapsing into flames in excruciating detail, these move with the serenity of a pod of whales. Accompanied by music we swear we've heard in an acupuncturist's lobby, these depict the new bridge options as efficient, utopian dream. The camera begins at a bird's-eye view of the I-5/520 intersection on a beautiful cloudless day, then zooms in slowly to show traffic moving steadily across the bridge, following cars across the mirror-still water. It all looks like the perfect morning commute. Option A:
That's not to say the possibility of Michael Bay-level disaster doesn't exist for the 520--both the Evergreen Point Bridge and the Portage Bay Bridge are as vulnerable to earthquake damage as the Viaduct. Do not click that link unless you relish the aforementioned coppery taste of panic.
Filed in Miscellaneous, News and tagged 520 bridge, transit, wsdot
I love that they gloss over the toll booths in the video. Making sure not to point them out and at one point cutting the video to an overhead shot so you don't notice them.
What a load of car porn. More freeways! Yay! With the train expansion passing right by down on Montlake the fact that there is no light rail capacity on this grand piece of infrastructure is at best missed opportunity. Not including capacity for mass transit more efficient then buses cripples any future hopes of more then a single decent mass transit link the east side.
Seattle is currently planning on replacing the Alaska way viaduct, the 520 and 90 bridges whilst puttering along at creating a light rail system and toying with street cars.
Now would be the time to create a decent fully integrated mass transit system for the city. Cars are burying us.
Like all utopian visions, this one has a couple dirty secrets to hide.