PBS's NewsHour covers the debate over the future of downtown Seattle's raised highway -- an issue that has a renewed sense of importance after the Minnesota bridge collapse.
"After the bridge collapse in Minnesota, the debate over what to do with the Alaskan Way Viaduct, an aging raised highway in Seattle, has gotten even more intense."
"Built in the 1950s and damaged by an earthquake in 2001, engineers say it could collapse in the next quake. Some repairs have been made, but on the federal bridge sufficiency scale, the viaduct has a rating of only nine out of 100. The Minnesota bridge had a much better rating of 50."
"The underside of the Seattle road has cracks, exposed rebar, and weakening concrete. Even before the Minnesota disaster, Washington state said it would spend $5 million this year and $175 million next year to patch up some spots, but it said the only real solution is to replace the viaduct. That could take 10 years."
FULL STORY: Debate Rages over Raised Highway in Seattle
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie