On November 28th the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close the Airport Way South Viaduct for construction. The viaduct will be fully closed to all vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for 12-14 months.
Airport Way South Viaduct Closure
On November 28th the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close the Airport Way South Viaduct for construction. The viaduct will be fully closed to all vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for 12-14 months. Signage will be placed to alert users of the closure and detour route.
Work on the viaduct includes:
- Safety improvements: Rehabilitation and seismic improvements to the main span
- Durability improvements: Replacement of the existing timber approach structures with mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall structures
These improvements will extend the viaduct’s useful life by decades.
Detour information:
- Southbound vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians will be detoured at South Industrial Way to 4th Avenue South, returning to Airport Way South via South Lucile Street.
- Northbound traffic will be detoured at South Lucile Street to 4th Avenue South, returning to Airport Way South via South Industrial Way.
- Denver Avenue South and South Dawson Street between South Lucile Street and 4th Avenue South will primarily be used as a northbound truck detour route.
For a map of the detour route visit the project website.
What to expect during construction:
- Expect traffic delays on Airport Way South near the viaduct and plan extra time for your trip
- Crews will be working between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, and on occasional nights and weekends
- Parking will be removed adjacent to the viaduct and its approaches
- Nearby residents and businesses should expect noise and dust
- Bus routes that currently use the Airport Way South Viaduct will be rerouted to 4th Avenue South during the closure; transit agencies will communicate route changes to customers directly, via rider alerts at bus shelters and on Metro website
This project, part of the City’s Bridging the Gap program, is necessary to maintain a safe and reliable transportation corridor for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. It will significantly reduce the frequency of major repairs and associated traffic disruptions.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Maribel Cruz or Bob Derry, or visit the project website.