ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT CLOSING BOTH DAYS THIS WEEKEND: It’s the semiannual safety check plus testing of the automatic closure-in-case-of-quake gates. 6 am-6 pm both days (as always, we’ll watch for an early reopening Saturday, and will let you know here/Facebook – “liked” our NEW page yet? – Twitter if that happens). In the official announcement, WSDOT says the “viaduct closed” lights on signs in West Seattle (etc.) may operate “intermittently” because of the gate testing – but even if they’re not flashing, the viaduct WILL be closed.

NORTHBOUND 1ST AVENUE SOUTH CLOSED AT SPOKANE FRIDAY NIGHT/SATURDAY MORNING: The Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project will close northbound 1st South right at the bridge from 8 pm Friday to 5 am Saturday; that means detours for buses as well as private transportation, and Metro has sent an alert saying it means a reroute for Routes 21, 56 and 85: “During this closure, Routes 21 & 56 will travel on 4th Av S & S Horton St. Use the stop northbound on 4th Av S just north of S Spokane St. No stops will be missed for routes 21 & 56. Route 85 Night Owl will miss one stop northbound on 1st Av S just north of S Spokane St. Use the stop northbound on 4th Av S just north of S Spokane St. ”

NEED THE ‘GOOD TO GO’ PASS FOR 520 BRIDGE? WSDOT’s mobile van is coming to Roxbury Safeway (26th SW and SW Roxbury) both days this weekend, 11 am-4 pm, and you can buy the sticker that will line you up with the electronic tolling system. Details here.