Alaskan Way Viaduct: Seattle's Next Historic Landmark?

"Alaskan Way" by Slightly North, the official photographer of the Viaduct

With the Ballard Denny's landmark status is-it-or-isn't-it debacle still fresh on our mind, comes the latest chapter in Seattle's ever-exciting "What Constitutes an Historic Landmark?" debate. According to local historian Art Skolnik, the death-trap we formally call the Alaskan Way Viaduct should be declared and preserved as an historic landmark.

Skolnik contends that the viaduct should not only be preserved, but we should just continue to use it--and say earthquakes and safety be damned! His logic? "It survived a 7.3 earthquake and, seven years later, we're still using it." Excuse us while we pick our jaw off the floor. First, the quake was actually a 6.8 and, apparently, Mr. Skolnik doesn't recall witness reports from those unfortunate enough to be on the Viaduct during that quake. Where petrified drivers reported the supports of the bridge "yawning" and that they felt the ground below them liquefying.

Saving a quirky old building for a sense of nostalgia and times past seems much more reasonable and responsible than trying to save the ailing and failing viaduct by declaring it an historic landmark. And, frankly, we don't really want to drive on an historic landmark, the "Historic Alaskan Way Viaduct" sounds even sketchier than just the good old Alaskan Way Viaduct. Remind us a little more how decrepit it is, please!