Date:  Saturday, September 26, 2009

Contact: Greg Phipps, WSDOT Communications, 206-949-8078

SEATTLE – Crews working for WSDOT have completed temporary repairs on construction beams damaged by an overheight semi Friday near Seattle’s sports stadiums.

WSDOT closed the southbound Fourth Avenue S. on-ramp to Edgar Martinez Drive S. and the southbound right lane of Fourth Avenue S. Friday afternoon after the semi damaged temporary beams that are supporting construction of a new I-90 off-ramp to Edgar Martinez Drive S. The ramp is part of WSDOT’s SR 519 Intermodal Access project.

The lane and ramp reopened far ahead of schedule at 6:45 p.m. Saturday thanks to quick and effective work by WSDOT's contractor. The right lane of the ramp will remain closed until crews complete permanent repairs. The southbound turn lane from Fourth Avenue S. to S. Royal Brougham Way and right lane of southbound Fourth Avenue S. will also stay closed to prevent merging conflicts and keep traffic moving. This leaves two lanes open on southbound Fourth Avenue S.

“Safety is our top priority. Our contractor developed a repair plan that temporarily stabilizes the construction beams so drivers can safely pass under them,” said Ron Paananen, director of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program, which includes the SR 519 project. “The repairs keep drivers safe and allowed us to reopen the lane and left lane of the ramp before Sunday afternoon's Seahawks game.”

Crews working for contractor Kiewit Pacific Co. will begin permanent repairs Monday morning. At 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, crews will again close the southbound lane on Fourth Avenue S. and the on-ramp to Edgar Martinez Drive S. Drivers who normally use the on-ramp will be detoured on southbound Fourth Avenue S. to S. Holgate Street and back to Edgar Martinez Drive S. via northbound First Avenue S.

Crews expect to complete the repairs and reopen all lanes and the ramp by 5 p.m. Tuesday. Drivers should expect delays and can these take steps to help keep traffic moving:

• Consider alternate routes.
• Allow extra time.
• Carpool or use transit.
• Know before you go:
• For traffic info on state routes visit WSDOT’s Seattle Traffic page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle or call the 511 Travel Information Line.
• For city street information, visit the city of Seattle’s Traveler Information Web site at seattle.gov/travelers.
• For info on bus and rail service: www.soundtransit.org and transit.metrokc.gov.

In the $84.35 million SR 519 Intermodal Access Project crews are building a new I-90/I-5 off-ramp to S. Edgar Martinez Drive/S. Atlantic Street and a bridge over the railroad tracks on S. Royal Brougham Way. The project also includes the recently completed widening of the First Avenue S. and S. Atlantic Street/Edgar Martinez Drive S.

These improvements will create a safer SR 519 for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists and move freight, daily commuters, sports fans and ferry travelers faster through the corridor. For more information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr519. Track construction progress with our SR 519 photo collection on flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/collections/72157611230638731/.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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