lid i-5

How could a lid across Interstate 5 maximize public benefit?

For almost sixty years, the downtown neighborhoods of Seattle have been split by Interstate 5. As cities around the world have been reconnecting their urban neighborhoods with lids, Seattle began a serious 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 investigated structural, urban design and financial solutions to bridge the highway, support new uses, and reconnect neighborhoods.

Framework led urban design for the WSP team, looking at the complicated context along the roughly 1-mile segment in terms of topography, current uses, zoning, connections and demography. An in-depth policy analysis informed the underlying question of the study was “how could a lid maximize public benefit?” Three scenarios were used to test financial performance, ranging from a mostly landscaped lid to more intense development. The study is intended to inform public sector decisions long into the future.