Elliott Bay Seawall Replacement
City of Seattle Department of Transportation
Seattle, Washington
Exeltech served as deputy project manager for final design of approximately 3,700 feet of replacement seawall. Built as a working waterfront between 1915 and 1936, the seawall was originally constructed to support rail and road access to the piers lining Elliott Bay and was not designed to account for seismic forces. The seawall was showing signs of considerable deterioration. The continued integrity of Seattle’s seawall was vital to preserving Seattle’s downtown, the state’s economic stability, and the region’s quality of life.
Exeltech’s civil engineers provided final design of roadway improvements, utilities, traffic signals, illumination, and signing throughout the project length. Exeltech also provided structural engineering for final design of the southern 1,260 linear feet of the project. Services included presenting alternatives, creating cost analyses; executing design of the superstructure, wall, and sidewalk system; and creating exhibits to support public involvement activities. Exeltech provided Engineer of Record support during construction.
Exeltech provided innovative and creative solutions to reduce or eliminate risks as well as reduce project costs during the Cost Risk Value Engineering process. At 10% design, Exeltech provided independent cost estimate and design/constructability recommendations for the three alternatives that had been identified for further evaluation through the ongoing development of the structural design solutions and public/habitat enhancements associated with the project. Based on the team’s evaluations and contractor’s input, 25 design and constructability suggestions were made to simplify the design and improve the constructability of the various alternatives and subelements. Further, 10 cost savings opportunities were identified creating potential total project savings in the range of $88 to $98 million.
Due to the large number of stakeholders and related projects in the vicinity of the seawall, Exeltech was also involved in coordination with the broader Waterfront Seattle program, the Seattle Tunnel Partners bored-tunnel project, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the Washington State Ferries.
The Elliott Bay Seawall project has received multiple awards for design, leadership, environmental, sustainability, emergency construction, engineering, and management.
Related project: Washington Street Boat Landing Seismic Retrofit and Platform Replacement