February 2010
- Work is under way to connect the existing Fourth Avenue S. off-ramp from I-5 and I-90 to the new off-ramp to Edgar Martinez Drive S. Crews are pouring concrete on the new ramp. We expect to open the ramp this May.
- Crews are installing railings on the Royal Brougham Way bridge and building the east and west approaches. We expect to open the bridge this spring.
- See our weekly closure update for details on road, lane and ramp restrictions on the project.
- Check out new visualizations on Flickr showing what you will see when the Royal Brougham Way bridge and pedestrian plazas open next year.
- See the new Royal Brougham Way bridge and I-90 off-ramp taking shape in the SR 519 photo collection on the WSDOT flickr site.
- Track construction progress with our monthly updates.
- If you need a construction update and aren't near a computer, call our hotline at 1-800-400-0761.
- Visit Way to Go, SODO to learn more about alternatives to driving alone through SODO.
WSDOT is improving connections for traffic heading to the Port of Seattle terminals, Colman Dock ferry terminal, central waterfront area and sports stadiums and destinations in Seattle's SODO neighborhood. SR 519 improvements will separate car, freight, pedestrian and rail traffic to help improve mobility, pedestrian safety and reduce the risk of collisions. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by June 2010, in time for the start of construction to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct between S. Holgate and S. King streets.
Street closures near sports stadiums in SODO
The SR 519 corridor connects I-5 and I-90 to Seattle’s sports stadiums, the Port of Seattle and the Seattle Ferry Terminal at Colman Dock. Closures will affect S Royal Brougham Way, Fourth Avenue S., Third Avenue S, and the First Avenue S. and S. Atlantic Street/Edgar Martinez Way S. intersection.
March 2009/spring 2010
Third Avenue S will be closed between S Royal Brougham Way and Edgar Martinez Drive S.
March 2009/spring 2010
Full and partial around-the-clock closures of Royal Brougham Way from Occidental Way to Fourth Avenue S. for bridge construction.
May 2009/spring 2010
Potential closures on Fourth Avenue S between
S Royal Brougham Way and Holgate Avenue S. for construction and removal of bridge forms and scaffolding.
Why is WSDOT
improving State Route 519?
SR 519 in Seattle, known to most people as S. Atlantic Street (Edgar Martinez Drive), is an important thoroughfare for cars, trucks and pedestrians in Seattle's SODO district. In fall 2003, WSDOT opened the Atlantic Street on-ramp to I-5 and I-90. This on-ramp separates road and railway traffic and improves access from the Port of Seattle and Seattle Ferry Terminal to I-5 and I-90.
WSDOT and our project partners are now building the second phase of SR 519 improvements. These next improvements will eliminate the remaining safety issues related to surface-level rail crossings and provide safe and efficient waterfront and stadium access drivers and freight haulers.
The End Result
In 2003, WSDOT opened the new Atlantic Street on-ramps to I-5 and I-90 and the Atlantic Street overpass. In this second phase of construction crews will:
- Build a westbound off-ramp from I-90 and I-5 that connects to the existing S. Atlantic Street overpass. The ramp is scheduled to open to traffic in May 2010
- Build a bridge for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists along S. Royal Brougham Way. The bridge will open to traffic during events only in April 2010. The bridge will be open at all times by mid-June 2010.
Crews completed the widening of the intersection of S. Atlantic Street and First Avenue S. in spring 2009.
Project Benefits
• Commuters: Those who wish to avoid train traffic can now use the Atlantic Street overpass to cross over trains and avoid delays. The remaining SR 519 improvements will add traffic capacity and eliminate the delays and safety issues related to the surface-level rail crossing on S. Royal Brougham Way.
• Pedestrians: S. Atlantic Street now has wide walking corridors and easy access sidewalks. Crews are now building an overpass that will eliminate the pedestrian safety issues related to the surface-level rail crossing on S. Royal Brougham Way.
• Port of Seattle: By reducing railroad and freight conflicts, the Port of Seattle will be able to move products quicker to and from the Port.
What is the project timeline?
Fall 2003 - Atlantic Street overpass and ramps open to traffic.
Summer 2006 - WSDOT works with the signatories and other interested groups to develop the next stage of project improvements.
Fall 2006 – WSDOT, city of Seattle and Port of Seattle agree to move forward on the second phase of the project, which includes a new I-90 off-ramp to the Atlantic Street overpass, a bridge over the railroad tracks at S. Royal Brougham Way and a wider First Avenue S. and S. Atlantic Street intersection.
Winter 2007 – WSDOT begins design and environmental work on phase 2.
Summer/Fall 2007 – WSDOT holds meetings and prepares reports for the project Environmental Assessment (EA).
Winter 2008 – WSDOT decides to use a design-build project delivery method for construction. With this method WSDOT expects to complete the project in June 2010, up to two years faster than our estimate.
Winter/Spring 2008 – The SR 519 EA and the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are released.
WSDOT selects three contractors to submit design-build proposals for Phase 2: Guy F. Atkinson Construction LLC, Parsons/Kuney A Joint Venture and Kiewit Pacific Co.
Fall 2008 - WSDOT evaluated the proposals and awarded the contract to Kiewit Pacific Co. on Sept 26. Kiewit broke ground in November and began work to widen the First Avenue S. and S. Atlantic Street intersection.
March 2009 - WSDOT opened new turn and through lanes at the First and Atlantic intersection. Crews began preliminary construction for the new S. Royal Brougham Way bridge.
April 2009 -Crews began drilling the pier shafts for the S. Royal Brougham Way bridge.
May 2009 - Crews begin constructing the pier shafts for the new I-90 off-ramp to Atlantic Street and begin pouring concrete for the Royal Brougham Way bridge piers.
June 2009 - Shaft drilling and concrete pouring continues on the piers for the I-90 off-ramp and the Royal Brougham Way bridge.
July 2009 - Work on the piers for both structures is mostly done. Crews begin erecting falsework and formwork (temporary construction supports that allow placement of rebar and concrete) on both bridges. Crews set girders on the section of the Royal Brougham Way bridge that spans the railroad tracks. Geofoam fill installation begins on the west approach to the Royal Brougham Way bridge.
August 2009 - Crews start placing rebar on the Royal Brougham Way bridge. Geofoam fill installation begins for the reconstruction of Third Avenue S. and the east approach and plaza of the Royal Brougham Way bridge.
September 2009 - Crews begin pouring concrete for the Royal Brougham Way bridge.
October 2009 - Concrete pours begin on the I-90 off-ramp. Crews start placing falsework for the Royal Brougham Way bridge ramp to the Qwest Event Center garage. Crews begin removing falsework on other portions of the bridge. Crews begin construction of the elevator and stairs at the center field entrance to Safeco Field.
November 2009 - Crews begin work to connect the I-90 off-ramp to the Edgar Martinez Drive overpass. Top deck concrete pours begin on the off-ramp
December 2009 - Crews begin work on Royal Brougham Bridge railings and railing posts. Crews begin building the east and west approaches to the bridge. Crews begin removing falsework from the Qwest Garage ramp.
January 2010 - Crews begin work to connect the I-90 ramp to the existing Fourth Avenue S. off-ramp. Work starts on the West Plaza.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
State Transportation 2003 Account (Nickel Funding) - $72.9 million
- State Freight Mobility Funds - $4.6 million
- Federal Highway Administration - $0.85 million
- Port of Seattle - $5.5 million
- Other Funds - $500,000
- Total funding from all sources - $84.35 million
How can I get more information?
Contact:
SR 519 Project Engineer David Sowers
WSDOT Project Construction Office
1401 Fourth Avenue S.
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-802-3969
WSDOT Communications, Greg Phipps
401 Second Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
Phone: 206-267-6019
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