Repairs to four column foundations for the Alaskan Way Viaduct seem to have stopped their sinking.

Bridge engineers for the Washington State Department of Transportation found no more settling during their inspection of the structure Oct. 18 and 19.

"It appears the repairs have done their job," said Ron Paananen, Washington State Department of Transporation's urban corridors office deputy director, in a press release.

Bents 93 and 94, the four columns and cross braces between Columbia Street and Yesler Way, have sank five and a half inches since the Nisqually earthquake in 2001.

In April, state department of transportation crews completed new foundations for the columns, $5 million of work to keep the viaduct standing until its demolition in 2012.

Bridge engineers inspect the entire structure every three months, with a full closure of the viaduct every six months.

Their work seems to have slowed the settling. The structure sank three-eighths of an inch between January and March, and one-eighth from March to June, with no more settling since June.

"However, it's important to remember these repairs do not protect the viaduct in another earthquake," Paananen said.

Though the new foundations are anchored 30 feet deeper into solid ground, much of the rest of viaduct stands in fill dirt, which may behave as a liquid during the shaking of an earthquake.

The foundations are one of six Moving Forward projects, totaling $915 million, preparing the central waterfront section of the viaduct for replacement. Electrical lines are being moved off the south end of the structure before it itself is replaced. Construction of a new south end approach will begin in 2009, to be completed by 2012.

Meanwhile, some improvements to the Battery Street Tunnel and the viaduct at Lenora Street are on hold. A stakeholder advisory committee continues to examine the merits of eight scenarios to replace the viaduct. Its next meeting is 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, in the Plymouth Congregational Church on Sixth Avenue downtown.

It will make its recommendation to the city, county and state departments of transportation in December.

Matthew G. Miller may be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com