Date:  Monday, February 14, 2011

Contact: Travis Phelps, Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program, 206-462-0554 (cell)
Greg Phipps, Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program, 206-805-2862
Quick info link . See the latest construction photos .

New off-ramp location opens from Alaskan Way Viaduct to S. Royal Brougham Way

SEATTLE – One new ramp open, one about to be demolished. This morning, drivers taking the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct to Seattle’s SODO neighborhood began exiting to S. Royal Brougham Way instead of First Avenue S.

But another major change is coming in SODO in just four days when crews demolish the ramp from First Avenue S. to northbound SR 99.

During the weekend crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) successfully relocated the southbound off-ramp and opened a new East Frontage Road S.

Starting Friday, Feb. 18, crews will demolish part of the northbound SR 99 on-ramp and spend up to six weeks building a new on-ramp connecting northbound SR 99 to S. Royal Brougham Way. This work must be completed by April 1 to avoid substantial disruptions to traffic heading to the stadiums.

“We’re less than a week away from demolishing the first piece of the viaduct,” said Matt Preedy, WSDOT’s Alaskan Way Viaduct construction director. “The northbound on-ramp will be out of commission for up to six weeks. About 11,000 vehicles use the on-ramp each day and we will complete work as quickly as possible, but we’ll need driver’s help to keep traffic moving.”

Upcoming ramp and road closures on or near First Avenue S.

The ramp demolition work will require crews to close the southbound SR 99 off-ramp and two city streets.

• 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 until as late as April 1
  - The northbound SR 99 on-ramp from First Avenue S. will be closed.
• 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21
  - The southbound SR 99 off-ramp to S. Royal Brougham Way will be closed.
• 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 through 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22
  - First Avenue S. will be closed between S. Royal Brougham Way and S. King Street. 
  -  Railroad Way S. will be closed between Occidental Avenue S. and S. King Street.

We will maintain access to local businesses while these streets are closed to through traffic.

Alaskan Way S. closures

Drivers should also keep an eye on another road closure this week. Alaskan Way S. between S. Atlantic Street and S. Royal Brougham Way is closed through Monday morning, Feb. 21. Northbound Alaskan Way S. between S. Atlantic Street and S. Royal Brougham Way will remain closed through 2013.

This long term closure of Alaskan Way S. is needed to create enough room to begin building the future SR 99 side-by-side roadway. Drivers heading north to the ferry terminal and the downtown waterfront will use First Avenue S. and S. Royal Brougham Way to reach Alaskan Way S.
Drivers can find out about regularly updated traffic information for downtown Seattle and SODO through the construction traffic update.

The project’s website has more details about why we’re changing the ramp access and building an SR 99 detour and has maps that will help drivers navigate the changes.

For more information on the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement program, visit www.alaskanwayviaduct.org.

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