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Update from WSDOT

Milepost 31 Speaker Series – Construction: A Look Back, A Look Ahead

It’s been a busy year for the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program. Join us as we recap construction highlights from 2012. You’ll also get a sneak peek at what’s coming up in 2013, including the arrival of the boring machine and the start of tunneling!

6 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 1

Milepost 31 (www.milepost31.org)

211 First Ave. S., Seattle

Admission is free.

 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 more information about participating garages.

Kids, it’s time to play…Name that tunneling machine!

The Washington State Department of Transportation is sponsoring a contest for kindergarten through 12th grade students to name the State Route 99 tunnel boring machine, which is the largest-diameter boring machine built to date. In mid-2013, it will start tunneling beneath downtown Seattle, creating the replacement for the central waterfront section of the viaduct. The contest winner will have their selected name painted on the machine and will be invited to attend the dedication event next year in Seattle.

Contest deadline:

Entries are due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13. A contestant’s entry must include a name for the machine and a 200-word-or-less description of why they chose it.

Three ways to enter:

  • Online at www.alaskanwayviaduct.org.
  • In person at Milepost 31 (www.milepost31.org), 211 First Ave. S, Seattle.
  • By mail – Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program, Attn: Natalie Graves, 999 Third Ave., Suite 2424, Seattle, WA 98104.

Check the WSDOT website (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/viaduct/TBMName) for contest details, rules and restrictions.

 

AWV Program launches new website

We are pleased to announce that the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program has launched a new program website (www.alaskanwayviaduct.org). It consolidates WSDOT’s viaduct-related projects into a streamlined site with easy access to important news and construction information. From WSDOT green to construction orange, it also showcases our new program brand, which celebrates that we are nose-deep in construction all along the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct corridor. On the updated site, be sure to check out the latest construction camera (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/viaduct/Traffic/ConstructionCam) angle, that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the tunnel launch pit.

 

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Waterfront snapshot from Friday, October 19 – Thursday, Oct. 25

Construction overview

  • No significant work occurred on the waterfront this week.
  • For a weekly update of the latest traffic closures, please visit our webpage.

 

Continuing work

  • Ongoing work to install underground monitoring equipment, which is a part of a comprehensive program, helps crews minimize ground movement and protect structures during tunneling. During the upcoming week, work in this program will occur:
    • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday: Crews will be working in Post Alley between Madison and Spring streets.
    • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday: Intermittent lane closures on Madison Street between First and Western avenues.

 

Upcoming events

        Seattle Sounders vs. Dallas (CenturyLink)

  • Sun., Oct. 21, 6 p.m.

        Seattle Sounders vs. Marathon (CenturyLink)

  • Wed., Oct. 24, 7 p.m.

 

Name the SR 99 tunnel boring machine!

In Japan, crews are finishing assembly of the tunnel boring machine, and in Washington, WSDOT is kicking off a statewide contest for kindergarten to 12th grade students to name it!

 

Here’s what you need to know before you submit a name:

  • Contest begins on Monday, Oct. 22. Entries are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13.
  • Contest open to kids (grades K-12) living in Washington state.
  • Name must be female and have significance to Washington state heritage, life, nature transportation or engineering.
  • Name should be creative and original and not after a living person.

 

On Monday, there will be more information on the webpage about how to submit, judging and winner acknowledgement.

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Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Construction Closures

Visit WSDOT’s website for a complete list of closures. Closure information changes frequently, so remember to check for updates throughout the week.

 

Highlights for Friday, Oct. 19 – Monday, Oct. 29

North:

Long-term street closures

  • Sixth Avenue North between Thomas and Republican streets, Harrison Street between Broad Street and Aurora Avenue North and Republican Street between Sixth Avenue North and Aurora Avenue North are closed for SR 99 tunnel construction. These streets will reopen after the SR 99 tunnel opens.

Monday, Oct. 22 and Tuesday, Oct. 23

  • Southbound Sixth Avenue North will be closed between John Street and Denny Way from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Wednesday, Oct. 24 and Thursday, Oct. 25

  • Denny Way will be reduced to one lane in each direction at Sixth Avenue North from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. both nights.

 

Central:

Next week:

Monday, Oct. 22 – Friday, Oct. 26

  • Seattle City Light crews will close one southbound lane on First Avenue between Cherry and Columbia streets from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
  • Seattle City Light crews also will close two out of three lanes on Columbia Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Monday, Oct. 22 through the morning of Friday, Oct. 26

  • Railroad Way South between South King Street and First Avenue South will be closed from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. Local access will be maintained.
  • Police officers will alternate traffic on Alaskan Way between South King and South Washington streets from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly.

Monday, Oct. 22 – Thursday, Oct. 25

  • The south half of Post Avenue between Madison and Spring streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

Friday, Oct. 26

  • The north half of Post Avenue between Madison and Spring streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pedestrian access will be maintained.

Tuesday, Oct. 23 – Friday, Oct. 26

  • The south side of Madison Street between First Avenue and Western Avenue will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Until further notice

  • South Jackson Street is reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction between First Avenue South and Seventh Avenue South from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily for First Hill Street Car construction.

South:

Saturday, Oct. 20

  • Seattle Parks and Recreation Department crews will close the right lane of northbound First Avenue at Yesler Way from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Quick links:

Website links

Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program

SR 99 Tunnel Project | South Holgate Street to South King Street Project