Jim Ellis Freeway Park

The Freeway Park in Seattle was the first "highway lid" built in the US - a public space constructed on top of a sunken freeway. Its three sections, Central Plaza, East Plaza and West Plaza are connected by concrete structure featuring plants and urban furniture. Water elements, such as a 30-foot concrete cascade erected right over Interstate 5's median strip, enrich the environment and provide a masking sound [1].

The park is planned along and within the freeway corridor that runs immediately adjacent to the city center, allowing pedestrian communication in this region. A massive fountain built to resemble Niagara Falls may be found in the park's southern portion. The sound of water from manmade waterfalls drowns out highway noise [3].