A weekend traffic alert from WSDOT this morning, regarding effects this weekend of work that’s under way as part of the 1st phase of the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project – if you’re going through SODO, including heading for the Seahawks game on Sunday, here’s what you need to know:

Drivers should expect closures, detours and delays in SODO this weekend while WSDOT crews continue prep work for replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Fans heading to Sunday’s Seahawks game at Qwest Field should plan for delays on northbound routes near the stadiums.

Closures and detours
* Northbound Alaskan Way S. remains closed between S. Atlantic Street and S. Royal Brougham Way for installation of a large underground utility vault. Northbound vehicles are being detoured to First Avenue S. at S. Atlantic Street.
* Westbound S. Atlantic Street is closed west of Colorado Avenue S.; local access only is provided west of First Avenue S.
* At 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18, northbound Alaskan Way S. will be closed at S. Hanford Street, so crews can pave the area around the utility vault. Vehicles will be detoured to First Avenue S. at S. Hanford Street.
* Crews will reopen northbound Alaskan Way S. between S Hanford and S. Atlantic streets by 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and the detour for northbound Alaskan Way S. vehicles will move back to S. Atlantic Street. Northbound Alaskan Way S. will remain closed between S. Atlantic Street and S. Royal Brougham Way until 5 a.m., Monday, Dec. 21.

City of Seattle Police will be stationed at several intersections to help keep
traffic moving in SODO.

The utility vault installation is preparation for the SR 99 S. Holgate Street to S. King Street Viaduct Replacement Project. In this project WSDOT will replace the southern mile of the viaduct with a new side-by-side roadway that includes new on- and off-ramps near the stadiums and new bicycle/pedestrian paths along SR 99. Major construction will begin in spring 2010.