Date:  Tuesday, February 22, 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

SEATTLE – With a piece of the Alaskan Way Viaduct now gone forever, the race is on to build a new on-ramp to northbound SR 99 from S. Royal Brougham Way.

Crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) aim to open the new on-ramp by April 1, before the Mariners’ April 8 home opener and all but two of the Sounders FC matches.

“We know that closing and demolishing the northbound First Avenue S. ramp is a big inconvenience for drivers,” said Matt Preedy, the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program’s Construction Director. “But we’ve got a good plan in place to get the new ramp open with the least effect on event traffic. We’ll need drivers to plan their trips in advance to reduce back-ups.”

First Avenue S. between S. Royal Brougham Way and S. King Street, and Railroad Way S. between S. Occidental and S. King streets reopened at 5 a.m. today, Tuesday, Feb. 22.

Once the northbound on-ramp to SR 99 opens, drivers will enter from S. Royal Brougham Way between First Avenue S. and Alaskan Way S. The ramp change will work as part of an SR 99 detour that will keep SR 99 open and traffic moving when crews demolish the viaduct south of S. Dearborn Street in 2012.

Drivers can find out about regularly updated traffic information for downtown Seattle and SODO through the construction traffic update.

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

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