Video: Earthquake Safety: Building the World’s First “Flexible” Bridge
Seattle’s newest bridge is built to do much more than withstand an earthquake – it’s built with columns designed to move with the ground and flex back into their original vertical shape after a strong quake. This new bridge is designed to remain open immediately after a powerful earthquake, when emergency response is critical. The Washington State Department of Transportation partnered with the University of Nevada’s Center for Advanced Technology in Bridges and Infrastructure in developing the new technology. The bridge is part of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program and will become the downtown Seattle exit from northbound State Route 99 after the new tunnel opens. Watch this video to learn more about how it works.
