The recent inspection of the Alaskan Way Viaduct revealed no new damage to the two columns that were inspected or to the rebar within the columns.

The Washington State Department of Transportation inspected these columns because they had existing cracks on the exterior that increased the potential for additional unseen damage beneath the concrete.

Work was conducted between Seneca and Spring streets and between Yesler Way and Columbia Street. A one-block portion of the street-level pedestrian and bicycle path was closed during this work for safety reasons.

"It is great news that the steel beneath the concrete in these two columns is intact and no immediate repairs are necessary. However, broken rebar is just one of the ways the viaduct is vulnerable to another earthquake," said bridge engineer Jugesh Kapur. "We continue to have serious concerns with the weaknesses in the viaduct's foundation, the settling soil beneath the viaduct, fragile column joints, and the deteriorating seawall."