Housing and parks could be built over I-5. Seattle councilmembers are officially into it

As Seattle officials plan for the city's future, placing a lid over I-5 will be in the works thanks to the City Council's latest resolution.

A "lid" over the freeway would mean significant construction to turn portions of I-5 into a tunnel. The newly created space above it could be dedicated to housing, park space, and commercial uses.

The Seattle City Council approved a resolution supporting the idea to construct a lid over I-5. The approval allows for the city to pursue federal funding. The resolution was approved with three yeas, two abstained, and none opposed, with Councilmembers Andrew Lewis, Dan Strauss, and Lisa Herbold approving.

"This is a big step forward," Councilmember Lewis said at the meeting. "This resolution represents the first formal council action recognizing an interest in expanding our lid zones throughout the city."

Lewis said he expects it to be the first of many resolutions. It is meant to place the I-5 lid project into consideration as officials develop a new comprehensive plan, budgets, and other goals. Such plans are unknown currently, but council members mentioned partnerships with the state Legislature and federal agencies to get it done. Councilmember Dan Strauss said that private investment could play a significant role in funding the projects.

Lewis also likened the lid I-5 proposal to the projects along the city's waterfront that are just now coming together. He called lidding I-5 Seattle's "next big challenge."

There are currently several lids on SR 520, including one under construction in Seattle's Montlake neighborhood. There are also lids over I-90. One is part of the Mount Baker Tunnel (the western entrance is actually a lid that leads into the Mount Baker tunnel; Sam Smith Park is up top), as well as a portion of I-90 over Mercer Island. That lid is now known as Aubrey Davis Park and has 90 acres of park space.

Ideas for placing a lid over I-5 through parts of Seattle have floated around the city for many years. The group Lid I-5 has actively pushed the idea forward. It's gained supporters over time, such as Phen Huang with the Foster White Gallery in Seattle.

“It’s an open sore in the midst of the city of Seattle,” Huang said. “Having the traffic noise and just the cleaving of our city by the I-5 being the first thing people see when they approach us from the airport – how sad is that? That’s not who we are.”

Instead, Huang says a lid over I-5 through downtown Seattle could support housing and parks with lots of trees.

"It seems to me there's no question that there needs to be an I-5 lidding,” Huang said. “It's just a question of how far does it need to go. It'd be great if it's more than just Madison to Denny; if it kept going. Because then you wouldn't have these cement walls, you wouldn't have these ugly approaches. You'd see so much more green."

A recent city report estimated a lid project could cost billions of dollars, but the state is currently studying the need for major seismic upgrades for I-5. Backers say building a lid during those upgrades could bring the cost way down.

In the past, many stretches of the freeway have been pointed to for lid potential. Some have proposed covering the freeway through downtown. Others feel North Seattle is a good candidate.

On Tuesday, Councilmember Strauss pointed out North Seattle, between 50th Street and 45th Street, and said a lid could connect separated neighborhoods while producing millions in new property tax revenue for the city.

"If we can have 14 acres of public and private land, that would be amazing," Strauss said.

"I'd like to see a lid up at 130th station as well," he added.