The Alaskan Way Viaduct has been part of Seattle's waterfront landscape for decades – a part of the daily lives of many drivers who use the structure to get to and from work, home, and play. But the 2001 Nisqually earthquake damaged the Viaduct and replacing it became a necessity. Though everyone agreed the viaduct needed to be replaced, no one, it seemed, could agree on just how to do it. EnviroIssues guided WSDOT through one of the most scrutinized public processes in state history, working with the state and its partner agencies to bring all sides to the table and find a way forward.
Clearly, the Viaduct story is one worth telling. That's why WSDOT asked EnviroIssues to assist with creating a public information center that would make sure that story wasn't lost to history. The creative services team at EnviroIssues worked collaboratively with local historians and state agencies to create Milepost 31. Located in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood, the center highlighted the people and projects that shaped Pioneer Square and provided an inside look at WSDOT's work to replace the viaduct. We wrote and edited content, designed displays, and helped manage every last detail of Milepost 31's development. When it opened in December 2011, Milepost 31 became an invaluable resource, winning a shelf-full of awards while offering nearly 20,000 visitors unprecedented access to the record-breaking SR 99 Tunnel Project.