1. Phase 2A In this slide show: Plaza Structural Steel December 7, 2010 Update
2. On a gloomy day the stage is set for plaza structural steel to arrive.
3. Workers set up the stubs of the geo-wells where they will enter the new mechanical room. These pipes connect to all 36 geo-wells (see previous shows for geo-wells).
4. New seismic steel can be seen under the building in the distance. It will shore up the station against earthquakes.
5. Re-bar frame for seismic grade beam foundation. In the background on the lift workers prepare for the new plaza steel to connect to the Jackson Street Bridge wall.
6. A close-up of the new seismic steel. In front of the large beams are three thin steel supports from the original structure.
7. Atop the grade beam this base connects the plaza steel with diagonal cross beams that give additional support. Slides further on show the cross bars assembled.
8. More shots of the structural steel bases that will receive columns and crossbars.
9. Another shot of the grade beams with structural steel bases. The foreground shows new station utility piping.
10. Stubs of geo-wells popping up into what will be the mechanical room. Each stub connects to 3 wells reaching 300 feet below ground.
11. A northwest view of grade beams and structural steel bases that will support the new Jackson Street Plaza above.
12. An above-view as preparations are made to raise the structural steel for the new plaza.
13. The space below will eventually house the station’s new mechanical room.
14. Another last look beneath what will be the new plaza. It will house Amtrak baggage and other behind-the-scenes operations.
15. This wide view make it easy to image a new plaza spanning from this point to the edge of the building.
16. The first day plaza steel arrived and work began erecting the structure was also the first snow in Seattle this year.
17. Despite the brewing storm workers laid out steel and began to weld pieces into place.
18. The first load of a quarter million pounds of steel lies ready to be hoisted.
24. Things are quiet in the snow covered station’s construction zone.
25. Soon after the storm, crews were back to work and the plaza steel has been quickly erected.
26. This aerial view shows the steel structure as it sweeps across the open area in front of the station. Tiny workers provide scale for the large beams.
35. A view facing south from what will be the new mechanical room housing modern, efficient heating, cooling and plumbing equipment.
36. When finished a lighted path will stretch from S Jackson Street along the right side of this photo toward the tower, where a grand marble staircase will descend to the main waiting room.
37. The silver panels on the top right will eventually close over the plaza forming the base for a concrete deck above.
38. Clusters of heavy steel beams are design to absorb and control the shock of an earthquake.
39. The cross beams shown here also help shore the building and plaza against earthquakes.
41. A look at the first floor north of the main waiting room. Seismic steel is already in place along the back wall, with additional beams waiting to be raised.
42. A close up of the re-enforced steel wall just north of the waiting room where an entry door will be placed.
43. Welding for the elevator shaft that will connect the three floors of the building.
44. The elevator shaft from the first floor. The sloping, angled brick in the back right is the inside of the grand staircase.
45. Rebar awaits installation on the west side of the station. Currently a staging area, a wide sidewalk with restored canopies, windows and doors will be re-install on the station’s west side.
