WSDOT Projects

Many people only think of the viaduct along the central waterfront, but the double-deck structure extends to S. Holgate Street past Safeco Field. This south end section of the viaduct accounts for almost half of the entire structure.

With the S. Holgate Street to S. King Street Viaduct Replacement Project, we will:

• Replace the southern mile of the viaduct with a new side-by-side surface roadway.
• Provide new SR 99 on- and off-ramps near the stadiums, improving access to downtown.
• Create an underpass for freight coming to and from the Port of Seattle.
• Build new bicycle/pedestrian paths along SR 99.

This new section of SR 99 will connect to the proposed bored tunnel replacement for the central waterfront. The following project information is also available in our south end brochure (pdf 721 kb). 

Lane closures

July 2009
Beginning July 6, crews will close the center turn lane on Alaskan Way S. between S. Atlantic Street and S. Massachusetts Street. The lane closure, which will last for several months, will allow us to build a temporary bicycle and pedestrian pathway and begin utility relocation. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction through the work zone, except during the week of July 6, when overnight construction will require the closure of an additional lane in this area between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. Flaggers will direct traffic during these overnight lane reductions.

2009
We will spend this year relocating utilities throughout the south end project area. This work will result in some temporary detours and lane closures on Railroad Way S., S. Dearborn Street, S. Royal Brougham Way, S. Atlantic Street, Colorado Avenue S., Alaskan Way S. and East Marginal Way S.

Parking closures

July 2009
Street parking on the east side of Alaskan Way S. between S. Atlantic Street and S. Holgate Street has been permanently closed.

2009
Existing parking lots on WSDOT property between S. Dearborn Street and S. Atlantic Street are closed for our electrical line relocation project. They will remain closed during south end construction.

Roughly 1,300 parking spaces in the south of downtown (SODO) neighborhood will be permanently removed during this project. Of those, about 820 are in off-street pay lots that research has shown are generally underused.

What is WSDOT doing?

• The state, county and city are closely coordinating various projects that are underway or planned in the SODO area. In addition to minimizing traffic detours, we are working together to inform neighbors and the region about potential impacts and how these projects will improve safety and mobility in the area. Sign up to receive weekly email updates about south downtown traffic detours at sodoconstruction@seattle.gov.
• We are working closely with the stadiums, local businesses and neighbors to coordinate construction around events and other busy times. Safe pedestrian and bicycle access will be maintained in the neighborhood for the duration of the project.
• Starting in February 2010, King County Metro, with funding assistance from WSDOT, will add to and improve transit service south of downtown. Doing so will ensure that service is adequate and reliable during construction. Transit investments will be greatest during the height of construction in 2010 and 2011.

Project benefits

• Safety. The new structure will meet current earthquake design standards. Wider lanes and new shoulders will provide better emergency access and give drivers more room to maneuver.
• Mobility. The new structure will have three lanes in each direction and new on- and off-ramps near the stadiums. A new S. Atlantic Street undercrossing will improve connections between the Port of Seattle and major freeways by allowing traffic to bypass passing trains. A new bicycle and pedestrian path along SR 99 will connect to existing downtown trails.

What other work are we doing?
The Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Program includes several other projects:

• Battery Street Tunnel maintenance and repairs
• Central waterfront replacement – We will replace the central waterfront portion of the viaduct with a bored tunnel beneath downtown and transit and surface street improvements. This project is in the early design phase.
• Electrical line relocation to move electrical lines from the viaduct between S. Massachusetts Street and Railroad Way S.
• Transit enhancements and other improvements – Learn about our plans for keeping people and goods moving during south end viaduct construction.

Contact:
Chad Schuster, WSDOT Communications
E-mail: SchustC@consultant.wsdot.wa.gov
Program hotline: 1 – 888 – A W V - LINE