TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Viaduct open for rest of the weekend

7:53 PM: WSDOT says the Alaskan Way Viaduct not only has reopened for tonight, it will NOT have to close again tomorrow – the inspection work is all done. But that *only* affects the stretch between the West Seattle Bridge and the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel; north of the tunnel, it remains closed until Monday morning, so if you head northbound on 99, you’ll have to exit by Western. Read the full announcement here.

9:55 PM: As of a short time ago, the “Viaduct Closed” lights are still flashing on signs approaching the bridge – but the road really is open.

sc March 28, 2015 (9:01 pm)

Yea!!

Lisa March 29, 2015 (10:20 am)

The tunnel is still closed. Traffic is diverted off 99 at Western Ave.

WSB March 29, 2015 (10:25 am)

Yes, the tunnel will be closed all weekend, as reported above – but south of it, on the actual Alaskan Way Viaduct, there WAS also a 6 am-6 pm closure planned today, completely separate work (inspection), and that’s what was canceled after they finished up by 6 pm yesterday. North of the tunnel, 99 (Aurora) is closed for unrelated work, and it’s proceeding as announced. Confusing, I know, but at least if people have to get downtown from here, they have the option of 99 all the way to Western. Thanks! – TR

sc March 29, 2015 (2:00 pm)

Had to be in Greenwood this morning. Went northbound on the viaduct and exited at Western and went up 15th NW. Came home in reverse and got on southbound after the tunnel. Signs still said closed but thanks to WSB I had a beautiful drive with a view, both going and coming back to West Seattle!!!

Louise March 29, 2015 (3:39 pm)

Your headline “viaduct open for rest of weekend” is misleading. Because of your headline I elected to take 99 home from Shoreline. Now I am stuck north of the Battery Street in a slow moving detour. I will be late getting home to West Seattle. Urgh! Not happy! Could you please publish an accurate headline.

WSB March 29, 2015 (5:52 pm)

Louise, sorry to hear you got stuck in traffic. The headline and story are 100 percent accurate. The Alaskan Way Viaduct, which is the elevated section of Highway 99 between the stadiums and the Battery Street Tunnel, reopened late yesterday and WSDOT canceled its plan to close it again 6 am-6 pm today. This is also how WSDOT itself announced it:
.
https://twitter.com/wsdot_traffic/status/581975731573534720
.
We also reported the ongoing, separate closure north of the tunnel as a reminder in this story and in all other previous coverage we’d had, going back more than a week. – TR

East Coast Cynic March 29, 2015 (4:15 pm)

I’m going to miss that Western Ave exit with the new tunnel/viaduct. It made it sooooo easy to commute to Ballard as well as LQA.

sc March 30, 2015 (7:25 am)

@Louise
I too have learned the hard way getting home to West Seattle.
The viaduct is where I have a view and of course the tunnel has none.
Sorry you were stuck.

Sorry, comment time is over.