The WSDOT was addressing the need to ease bridge traffic congestion by replacing the existing SR520 Bridge with a six-lane bridge capable of withstanding earthquakes and severe storm events. An additional part of the plan involved the road interchange on the western side of the bridge for which various tunneling options were assessed.
Montlake Cut Tunnel Expert Review Panel:
Gall Zeidler Consultants was part of the Montlake Cut Tunnel Expert Review Panel. The purpose of this panel was to evaluate the feasibility and advantages and disadvantages of all tunneling options for the interchange connections from the SR520 mainline just east of Montlake, to the University of Washington. The tunnel options included an immersed tunnel, a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) tunnel, and a Sequential Excavation Method (SEM) tunnel.