Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection finds more sinking

SEATTLE – The latest inspection of the Alaskan Way Viaduct along Seattle’s waterfront shows it has sunk another quarter to half an inch.

The Seattle Times reported that state bridge engineers said there’s no immediate risk.

However, the total sagging at this location has reached about 3 1/2 inches since the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. That’s another indication that the 62-year-old structure is losing its race against time.

State transportation spokeswoman Laura Newborn said if the viaduct was unsafe, they would close Highway 99. The inspection was held Oct. 31.

Crews also found new cracks in columns and girders, and some previous cracks widened by a half-millimeter.

It’s unclear what caused the damage.