Drive to or through SODO? You’ll be interested in the traffic alert we just received from WSDOT – it’ll affect city streets as well as state routes. Read on:

Drivers should expect closures, detours and delays in SODO during the first two weeks of January while WSDOT crews continue work to improve connections for SODO traffic. Current projects include seismic retrofit work on the double-decked overpass that carries I-90 over I-5, ramp construction on SR 519, the east-west corridor connecting I-5 and I-90, and preparation for road and bridge construction to replace the southern mile of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Fourth Avenue S. ramp closures
Monday, Jan. 4 – Friday morning, Jan. 8

* Crews will close the southbound and northbound Fourth Avenue S. off-ramps from I-5 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night to begin work connecting the existing I-90 with the new I-90 off-ramp to the S. Atlantic Street/Edgar Martinez Drive S. overpass.

* Crews will close the ramp from westbound I-90 to Fourth Avenue S. nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for seismic retrofit work.

Detour: Signed detour routes will direct drivers around the construction zones.

Alaskan Way S. lane closures

Monday, Jan. 4 – Monday, Jan. 18

* Utility crews will be working on Alaskan Way S. near the entrance to the Port of Seattle ‘s Terminal 46. During this period, both directions of Alaskan Way S. , between S. Atlantic Street and S. Massachusetts Street , will be closed nightly from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Detour: Signed detours will direct northbound traffic to First Avenue S. via S. Hanford Street . Southbound traffic will be directed to First Avenue S. via S. Atlantic Street .

Wednesday, Jan. 6 – Monday, Jan. 18

* Crews will close the right lane of westbound S. Atlantic Street between Colorado Avenue S. and Alaskan Way S. daily from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. for utility work.

The ramp construction work at Fourth Avenue S. is part of the $84.35 million SR 519 Intermodal Access Project. The project will create a safer SR 519 for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. Improvements also will help move freight, daily commuters, sports fans and ferry travelers faster through the corridor.

The seismic retrofit work on I-90 is part of the $10.4 million I-90: I-5 to 12th Avenue S. Seismic Retrofit Project. The project will strengthen the columns, girders and crossbeams of the double-decked overpass that carries I-90 over I-5 to better with stand earthquakes. The project also includes strengthening the supports of the nearby 12th Avenue S. Bridge.

The utility work near Alaskan Way 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.