Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Transportation.
Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Construction and Closures
Read Feet First’s policy on the issues surrounding the Seattle Waterfront here.
SR 99 Tunnel Construction Brings Big Changes to Seattle’s Downtown Waterfront
It’s not yet time for the downtown waterfront’s big makeover, but it is make-room time for the State Route 99 Tunnel project. Crews clearing space for tunnel construction are preparing to reroute six blocks of waterfront traffic from Alaskan Way to a newly improved road beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
The traffic switch which will happen during the second week of May and last through at least early 2014 will change ferry access as well as parking and traffic patterns along the waterfront south of Spring Street. A detailed map of the changes, along with a drive-through simulation that shows new routes to the ferry terminal, is available on the program website.
Moving traffic off Alaskan Way allows crews to expand the tunnel work zone north to Yesler Way. The space will be used to prepare the ground beneath Alaskan Way, where the project’s tunnel boring machine will begin its journey in 2013.
The Washington State Department of Transportation and the Seattle Department of Transportation are rerouting existing roads along the waterfront and in Pioneer Square, and implementing strategies to keep traffic moving while maintaining access to businesses in those neighborhoods, including:
- Allowing drivers to use Yesler Way to exit the ferry terminal
- Increasing the width of Alaskan Way between Yesler Way and Spring Street to accommodate ferry holding lanes
- Adding more than 60 temporary on-street parking spaces on Alaskan Way between Spring and Pike streets
For more information on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement.
Download the detour map here.
Construction Closures – This Week’s Highlights
Visit WSDOT’s website for a complete list of closures. Closure information changes frequently, so remember to check for updates throughout the week.
Central Waterfront
On the night of Wednesday, May 9, crews clearing space for SR 99 tunnel construction will begin rerouting six blocks of waterfront traffic from Alaskan Way to a newly improved road beneath the viaduct. The traffic switch which will last through at least early 2014 will change ferry access as well as parking and traffic patterns along the waterfront south of Spring Street. A detailed map of the changes, along with a drive-through simulation that shows new routes to the ferry terminal, is available on the program website.
The following closures will occur between 7 p.m. May 9 and 5 a.m. May 10 as crews implement the reroute:
- Traffic on northbound Alaskan Way, just north of South Jackson Street, will be detoured beneath the viaduct to Marion Street via Western Avenue and University Street. Northbound ferry traffic will be detoured to southbound Alaskan Way via University Street.
- Washington Street will be closed at the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
- Columbia and Madison streets, and westbound Yesler Way, will be closed at Western Avenue.
- Southbound Alaskan Way will be reduced to one lane between Spring and Washington streets until 2 a.m. Bus stops will remain open.
North end
Sixth Avenue North between Thomas and Harrison streets will be closed around-the-clock from 7 a.m. Monday through 5 p.m. Friday.
Corridor wide
Weekend-long viaduct closure later this month. – Construction crews will close both directions of the Alaskan Way Viaduct between the West Seattle Bridge and the Battery Street Tunnel from 11 p.m. Friday, May 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, May 21.
Quick links
- Current Work: The most up-to-date resource for construction related to the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement.
- Traffic: Real-time conditions on Seattle area highways and many connecting streets.
- Transit: WSDOT funded additional bus service along routes affected by construction.
- Bike/walk: During construction we maintain a safe and reliable path for bicyclists and pedestrians on Alaskan Way South.