Construction of Seattle’s new waterfront coming along; completion expected 2024

SEATTLE — As work continues in the major makeover of Seattle’s waterfront, there are two more years until its completion.

Redevelopment of the area has been a priority ever since the Viaduct was taken down. Construction is going strong.

In a time-lapse video, one can see a glimpse of the new roadway that will connect the waterfront to Belltown.

Lisa and Tyler Johnson, visiting from Las Vegas, told KIRO 7 that they booked a trip to Seattle after COVID-19 started to wane.

“The minute we saw masks come off, everyone started traveling,” Tyler Johnson said.

Though construction is loud in the area, the couple said they expect a lot of people to come to the waterfront during the summer.

“Greenscapes are totally the way to go. My master’s is in urban leadership, so we look at how to transform an urban area,” Tyler Johnson said.

Edward Hadley, who lives downtown and works from home, told KIRO 7 that construction does not bother him much, but he hopes the new roads will improve traffic throughout the city and make the area more accessible.

“I think it’s going to look nice. I do agree, any aspect of making it more pedestrian and bike-friendly down here on the waterfront,” Hadley said.

Angela Brady, who works for the city of Seattle on the waterfront project, said traffic could be moving on a new roadway soon, with two lanes in either direction.

“We now have close to 20 city blocks under construction,” Brady said. “Our plan is to build, get the road open from south King all the way up into Belltown.”

On one side of Alaskan Way, pedestrians negotiate a maze of wire fences and construction barricades. It will all come down as the project progresses, allowing everyone access.

“We heard a very consistent message,” Brady said. “They wanted to narrow the lanes, move them to the east and really open up the waterfront so we could really enjoy our beautiful waterfront, Brady said.

Brady told KIRO 7 that a new waterfront park will go where traffic is moving now. She said the strike by concrete mixer drivers has delayed some work but the target date for the project’s completion is the end of 2024.

The new green space could open by 2023.

“It definitely is a torment and an eyesore but isn’t that the thing about growth and development,” Hadley said.

“It’s the means to an end, so yes, if it brings the greenscapes and more people walking here, you guys are going to love it,” Tyler Johnson said.

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