Emergency Utility Repairs Continue at First Avenue South and S Massachusetts Street

Emergency Utility Repairs Continue at First Avenue South and S Massachusetts Street

One northbound First Avenue S lane impacted, work expected until evening of August 22

 

Emergency utility repairs to address a water main break will require the closure of roads and a sidewalk in the vicinity of First Avenue S and S Massachusetts Street until the evening of August 22.

In the overnight hours, a long lateral break occurred in a 16-inch pipe running north/south on First Ave S at S Massachusetts Street. According to SPU, the pipe will be repaired and water restored to affected businesses by midnight tonight. However, the street repair and cleanup will extend through the evening commute on Wednesday, August 22.

As a result of the emergency repairs, the following right of way areas will be impacted through 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 22:

-One lane northbound on First Ave S from S Massachusetts St to Edgar Martinez Dr will be closed

-S Massachusetts St will be closed from S Occidental Ave to First Ave S

-The eastern sidewalk on First Ave S from S Holgate St to Edgar Martinez Dr will be closed

A Seattle Police Department traffic officer will remain onsite throughout the repair and cleanup to assist with traffic.

SDOT advises motorists to use alternate northbound routes, such as Fourth Avenue S and Airport Way, to access downtown and south of downtown (SODO). Drivers and transit riders should additionally give themselves extra time to reach their destinations when travelling through this neighborhood. SDOT’s Travelers Information Map can also provide updates on traffic volumes and current conditions, and can be seen at: http://web5.seattle.gov/travelers/.

The Mariners game tonight against Cleveland starts at 7:10 p.m. and a crowd of 20,000 is expected. As a result of the First Ave S lane closure, much heavier traffic than usual should be anticipated. If possible, motorists not traveling to the baseball game are urged to avoid the SODO area.

Seattle Paid Sick & Safe Time Ordinance Workshops

Learn more about Seattle’s new Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance, which goes into effect September 1, 2012. The new rule requires paid sick and paid safe time (PSST) for employees working within Seattle City limits. Learn more at the Seattle Office for Civil Rights.

Free workshops
Learn more about Seattle’s Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance at one of these free workshops open to the public:

Tuesday, August 21, 12 noon – North Seattle: Ballard Campus Swedish Medical Center, 5300 Tallman Ave. NW (NW Market Street just west of 17th Ave. NW) – co-sponsored by the Lake Union Association, Aurora Merchants Association, Northwest Marine Trade Association, North Seattle Industrial Association, Fremont Chamber and Ballard Chamber of Commerce.

Tuesday, August 28, 5:30 pm – West Seattle: Neighborhood House, 6400 Sylvan Way SW, co-sponsored by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Wednesday, August 29, 3 pm – Capitol Hill: Century Ballroom, 915 E. Pine Street, co-sponsored by the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Seattle Business Association.

Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement – Highlights for Friday, Aug. 17 – Monday, Aug. 27

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, Aug. 17 – Monday, Aug. 27

Corridor-wide:

  • Viaduct reinforcement work will close all lanes of southbound SR 99 between the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge at the following times:
    • 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, Wednesday, Aug. 22, and Thursday, Aug. 23.
    • 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly, Sunday, Aug. 26 – the morning of Friday, Aug. 31.

North:

Tipping our hat to the Seattle Department of Transportation:

Mercer Street opens to two-way traffic on Monday, Aug. 27

In a major step toward solving the decades-long “Mercer Mess,” The Seattle Department of Transportation will open Mercer Street to two-way traffic on Monday, Aug. 27 following a full weekend closure of the I-5 on- and off-ramps on August 24-27. Opening two-way Mercer Street brings the city closer to final completion of the Mercer East Phase I – Fairview to Dexter Avenue Project in summer 2013.

Sunday, Aug. 19 – the morning of Monday, Aug. 20

  • Sixth Avenue North will be closed between Harrison and Thomas streets from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Local access will be maintained using Thomas Street.

Monday, Aug. 20, and Wednesday, Aug. 22 through Friday, Aug. 24

  • John Street will be closed between Sixth Avenue North and Taylor Avenue North from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Tuesday, Aug. 21

  • Thomas Street will be closed between Sixth Avenue North and Taylor Avenue North from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sixth Avenue North will be closed at John Street from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local access to Sixth Avenue North will be maintained via Thomas Street.

Wednesday, Aug. 22 through Friday, Aug. 24

  • Parking on the west side of Sixth Avenue North between Thomas and John streets will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Monday, Aug. 27

  • Sixth Avenue North will be closed between Harrison and Republican streets from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Central:

  • The south parking lane of Columbia Street between Western Avenue and Alaskan Way will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20 through Friday, Aug. 24, daily.
  • The west sidewalk of Alaskan Way between Main Street and Yesler Way will close from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24 and Monday, Aug. 27.

Quick links:

Website links

Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program

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