I-5 Lid Feasibility Study

What's Happening Now?

City Selects I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Consultant Team

We have selected a consultant team led by WSP, a global engineering firm with extensive local experience, for a feasibility study to explore opportunities for further lidding Interstate 5 between Denny Way and Madison Street in downtown Seattle. The WSP team also includes the local and national firms of Shiels Obletz Johnsen, OJB Landscape Architecture, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, BergerABAM, Rule Seven, Framework, HR&A Advisors and Enviroissues. Visit our blog for more information.

We are launching a study to explore the feasibility of building a new lid, or lids, across Interstate 5 in the core of Seattle's downtown, expanding from the existing lids of Freeway Park and the Washington State Convention Center. The study will investigate structural, urban design and financial solutions that would bridge the highway, support new uses, and reconnect neighborhoods that have been divided for over 50 years.

The study is being funded as part of the "community benefit agreement" related to the Washington State Convention Center's expansion. These funds were secured thanks to the hard work and passion of community members who have been exploring and advancing the Lid I-5 proposal. While this advocacy effort is separate from the feasibility study, the group's work will help inform the analysis and two of their members will be included on the study's Steering Committee along with other stakeholder group representatives. For more information on the Lid I-5 group and their work, visit their website.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultant services was released in December 2018.

Watch our Director, Sam Assefa comment on Seattle's growth and the lid concept in this video produced by the Lid I-5 campaign.

I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Technical Team

The responsibility of the I-5 Lid Technical Team is to provide advice and subject matter expertise to the I-5 feasibility study.

Core Team Members:
David Driskell, OPCD
Lyle Bicknell, OPCD
Quanlin Hu, OPCD
Susan Mclaughlin, Seattle Dept. of Transportation
Rob Fellows, WA State Dept. of Transportation
Danielle Friedman, Dept. of Neighborhoods
David Graves, Seattle Parks Dept.
Rebecca Barnes, Independent Expert

Project Documents

• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Committee Workshop Summary (July 2019)
• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Committee Workshop Presentation (June 2019)
• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Committee Workshop Agenda (June 2019)
• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Committee Workshop Work Plan (June 2019)
• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Committee Workshop Look-Ahead (June 2019)
• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Committee Workshop Small Group Session (June 2019)
• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Committee Overview Summary (May 2019)
• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study Committee Presentations (March 2019)
• Consultant Question and Answers - FINAL (January 16, 2019)
  
  
• Pre-submittal Conference Summary (December 20, 2018)
• Pre-submittal Conference Sign-in Sheet (December 20, 2018)
• I-5 Lid Feasibility Study RFP (December 2018)
• RFP Inclusion Plan Evaluation
  
  

University of Washington Student Studies

• UW Department of Urban Design and Planning Study (New)
  Reconnecting the Emerald City - Analysis and Design Guidelines for the I-5 Lid
• UW Real Estate Finance Study
  Financing options for various lid scenarios developed by students of the University of Washington Runstad Center for Real Estate.