I went for a bike ride yesterday along Seattle’s waterfront.  After 50 years (actually the first section was opened April 4, 1953, about 70 years ago) of double-decker noise, visual blockage of the water, and general disgust, Seattle is finally free of the Hwy 99 Viaduct.  Or so we thought.

On my bicycle, I was forced to detour from the normal waterfront route along Alaskan Way into Myrtle Edwards Park. It used to be so nice to flow from Alaskan Way northbound into the long, quiet waterfront park. But no longer.  A huge viaduct-like highway has been built at the north “end” of Seattle’s downtown waterfront, rising above ground level.  Its packed with car traffic, and bicyclists are forced to ride along the trucks and cars inland away from the water.

Former Mayor Mike McGinn’s comments as quoted in a recent Axios Seattle article are spot on: “So, we just rebuilt the highway?”

A view of part of the new Elliott Way, which is slightly elevated, from a new platform above at Pike Place Market.

Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios.

So as I doubled back west, then south, then north again to rejoin Alaskan Way, I thought about whether this wasn’t really just another jobs project.  If the goal was to REMOVE impediments to enjoyment of the view and access to Elliot Bay from town, why are “they” once again building a highway?