Semiannual Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection, utility work to close SR 99 through Seattle this weekend

The Washington State Department of Transportation will close the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct for a semiannual safety inspection from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, crews working on the City of Seattle’s Mercer Corridor Project will close a section of SR 99 north of downtown, including the Battery Street Tunnel, to install a sewer line from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.

The closures were scheduled on the same weekend to avoid creating backups on multiple weekends. Travelers should expect increased congestion in and near downtown Seattle and allow extra time to reach their destination.

 

Closure details

Friday, Oct. 4, to Monday, Oct. 7 (Mercer Corridor Project):

• All lanes in both directions of SR 99/Aurora Avenue North will be closed between the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley Street from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.

Saturday, Oct. 5 (viaduct inspection):

• All lanes in both directions of the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed between South Spokane Street and the Battery Street Tunnel from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 6 (viaduct inspection):

• All lanes in both directions of the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed between South Spokane Street and the Battery Street Tunnel from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WSDOT recommends leaving early, carpooling or taking transit. Drivers can stay up to date with all closures and roadway conditions by checking the Seattle traffic page, the What’s Happening Now page, or WSDOT mobile app.

 

Milepost 31 Speaker Series — Archaeology and the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program

Past meets future as Bertha, the SR 99 tunneling machine, begins digging through Seattle’s first neighborhood, Pioneer Square. Join us for this month’s speaker series to hear how the Washington State Department of Transportation is protecting 20th century history as we build this 21st century project. See what archaeologists have uncovered in the south and north portal areas, and learn about their monitoring plans as the project continues.

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013

6 – 6:30 p.m.

Milepost 31, 211 First Ave. S., Seattle

After the talk, be sure to leave enough time to explore the rest of the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square. Milepost 31 is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and stays open until 8 p.m. on First Thursdays. Free parking is available for First Thursday Art Walk patrons in Pioneer Square. Please visit www.FirstThursdaySeattle.com for information about participating garages.