Date:  Monday, February 11, 2008

Contact: Amy Grotefendt, Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program, (206) 295-9846

SEATTLE — A $125 million package of strategic transit and capital investments to help keep people and goods moving during Alaskan Way Viaduct construction was announced today by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), King County, and the City of Seattle. By getting started this year, most of these improvements will be in place before major south end viaduct construction begins in 2011.

Many of the transit service and road improvement projects in the package, including funding for widening the Spokane Street viaduct, build on work already being done by the county and the city. The state’s contribution of $125 million will be combined with $335 million in federal and local funding to result in $460 million of investment in the I-5, downtown, SODO, West Seattle, Uptown, Ballard, and Aurora Avenue travel corridors.

“By leveraging existing federal, regional, and local government funding, the state’s $125 million investment will pay for new connections for freight and drivers to I-5 and I-90, improved city streets, technology to operate the highway and street system more efficiently, and more transit service,” said David Dye, WSDOT Deputy Secretary. “Our goal is to ensure that these improvements are put in place prior to viaduct construction in an effort to minimize travel delays and disruptions.”

These investments will benefit drivers, freight, and transit riders:

• Freight from eastern Washington will have an easier time getting to the Port of Seattle from I-5 and I-90 with new ramps near the sports stadiums on SR 519/Edgar Martinez Way and South Royal Brougham Way
• Commuters will have another way into downtown Seattle via new HOV/transit lanes and a new ramp connecting the South Spokane viaduct to Fourth Avenue South
• Commuters will get new buses and additional transit service in the West Seattle, Ballard/Uptown, and Aurora Avenue travel corridors
• Drivers on I-5 and city streets will see new travel time signs and detour information so they can choose to take other routes to avoid congestion or traffic incidents
• Drivers in and around downtown Seattle will see upgraded traffic signals that keep buses and traffic moving

“We are planning ahead so that when construction is underway people will have choices on how to get around. This comprehensive strategy is designed to give travelers the alternatives they need to reach their destinations, whether by hopping on a bus or choosing a different route,” said City of Seattle Department of Transportation Director Grace Crunican.

“This package will give Metro customers more buses and more service in the busy corridors most affected by viaduct construction,” said King County Department of Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi. “This early investment in signals and communications systems will be an important addition as Metro works toward delivering its new RapidRide services in the West Seattle, Ballard and Aurora Avenue corridors.”

For a full list of projects, please visit the Transit Enhancements Web page.

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