99,000 runners and walkers say goodbye to the viaduct Saturday

Photographers, security, and a terrific view of tunnel entrance and city

Photos by Cynthia Sheridan

99,000 people came to say #goodbyeviaduct and say hello #99tunnel on Saturday, February 2, 2019 (Groundhog Day).

At the start line under darkish skies

That's 70,000 who walked on the tunnel and the viaduct, and 29,000 who participated in the Tunnel to Viaduct 8K.9

Lake Forest Park resident (and Shoreline Area News contributor) Cynthia Sheridan was there on Saturday.

Rubbing elbows with Gov. Jay Inslee

Cynthia reports:

Groundhog Day seemed like a very appropriate time to celebrate the opening of a tunnel, according to Governor Inslee, who kicked off Seattle's ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday February 2nd.

Dignitaries and other visitors at the ribbon cutting

There were plenty of dignitaries on hand at the south portal, where visitors could either walk or ride a shuttle bus along the new stretch of highway.

Riding the shuttle through the shiny new tunnel

Outside it was cool and cloudy but inside the tunnel it was toasty warm, brightly lit and shiny new.

Other activities included a fun run, a walk on the old viaduct, and plenty of food booths. Metro offered shuttle rides in both directions to accommodate north and south portal festivities.

As of Monday, the tunnel is officially open. The viaduct will be dismantled this month.