Countdown to closure: 1 week till 1st Avenue So. ramp shuts down

(Click to see full-size project-overview graphic on SDOT website)
In case you’ve missed all the earlier coverage (archived here) … here’s your one-week warning: The next big closure related to the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project happens next Monday: SDOT will permanently close the 1st Avenue South onramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge, so unless you get onto The Bridge from Beacon Hill, I-5, or 99, you’ll have to take the “low bridge.” This page on the city website lists not only that upcoming closure, but also the detour routes, and other ongoing restrictions. If you ride Metro, they’ve got a special section on their website collecting the information that’s been coming out over the past few months related to routes that’ll have to detour. Also note, that page points out three Fauntleroy ferry terminal-linked routes whose schedules will change next Monday: 116, 118, 119. The graphic above shows the future ramp configuration; the new 1st Avenue ramp is scheduled to open late next year.

CurlyQ May 10, 2010 (5:00 pm)

Ack! Make it go away. Or at least, file this under “It has to get worse before it can get better.”

WSMom May 10, 2010 (5:21 pm)

I ranted about this in the forum, so I thought I’d add it as a comment here as well. I think it’s ridiculous that with all the construction and road closures on Spokane Street, that the city doesn’t allow us to temporarily turn right onto 1st Ave off the exit. I see police ready to ticket anyone who dares turn right against the no right turn sign, even though Spokane street to the right of the offramp is closed. I think allowing cars to turn right would decrease conjestion at 1st Avenue significantly. We can send our comments/complaints/suggestions to: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/citizen_response.htm

toddinwestwood May 10, 2010 (6:05 pm)

To most of you, I keep a fairly cool head on here. Alot of the times, I am pretty middle of the road, and a pinch of time, I can be a jerk.

That being said…..

IS IT JUST ME OR IS THE CITY TRYING TO F_ _K WEST SEATTLE?

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHH!

Mike in W Sea May 10, 2010 (6:21 pm)

Obviously, all the traffic engineers in Seattle DOT don’t live in West Seattle! We need an entrance to the brige from the SODO area as it continues to grow. Get a glue!

Robert May 10, 2010 (7:00 pm)

We are going to died! :-)

Dan May 10, 2010 (7:07 pm)

Permanently? Really? That is crazy. How does this make any sense?

Dan May 10, 2010 (7:13 pm)

Oh, it’s not permanent. Sorry. You said permanently but you changed that later in the story. My bad.

WSB May 10, 2010 (7:42 pm)

No, it is permanent – for this ramp. Haven’t edited this since it was published. There is a NEW ramp (see the graphic atop the story) that will be built in a different configuration – you’ll have to get onto it further north on 1st Ave So.

acemotel May 10, 2010 (7:54 pm)

this SO sucks!

BadwolfZanda May 10, 2010 (8:55 pm)

Around lunchtime today, a freight train had Hanford Street – which will be the reroute for WS-bound buses – blocked for at least 15 minutes. I wonder if Metro drivers will be dumping those routes in droves when it’s time to “pick”.

A May 10, 2010 (9:14 pm)

The eff word. That is all I can say.

toddinwestwood May 10, 2010 (9:35 pm)

I never even factored in the train crossings at Spokane and East Marginal. Damn. Hey I have an idea…everyone ride your bikes.

35this35mph May 11, 2010 (8:41 am)

Clusterf!##%

dawsonct May 11, 2010 (9:56 am)

Maybe we should change our name to North Burien.

Al May 11, 2010 (10:19 am)

Just wait until Alaskan/Marginal closes for 6 years between Royal Brougham & Atlantic in, I believe, winter 2011 (?). Not sure of the date, just hoping it’s not winter of 2010. This is to all traffic, including cyclists. I’m not sure if one will even be able to access E. Marginal from Atlantic at that point. So all traffic, including cyclists, will have to route down 1st Ave to Hanford. It’s going to be miserable for everyone. But until then I’m going to enjoy the bike route as it is.