Alaskan Way Seawall, Seawall in Seattle, United States.

The Alaskan Way Seawall is a concrete and stone barrier that runs roughly 2.2 kilometers along Elliott Bay's edge. The structure separates the water from the city and includes a walkway where you can see the harbor and downtown buildings beyond.

The Alaskan Way Seawall was completed in 1934, built on top of wood piling to give level access to Seattle's piers and to support the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Alaskan Way itself. After the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, inspectors found gribbles had eaten through the wooden supports in places. The seawall was rebuilt between 2013 and 2017, more than a year late, at a cost of $410 million.

The seawall shaped how Seattle's waterfront developed as a working harbor and meeting place for the city. You can walk along it today and see how the structure remains central to how locals and visitors experience the water's edge.

The path along the seawall is flat and easy to walk, making it good for strolls and cycling near the water. Keep in mind that weather and tidal conditions can affect access, and there are several points where you can step into the city.

The original 1934 wall stood on wooden pilings treated to resist marine pests, but after the 2001 Nisqually earthquake inspectors found gribbles had eaten through the timber in places. That discovery drove the 2013–2017 rebuild, which finished over a year late at $410 million against a $350 million estimate.