The same ramp closures that affected access to West Seattle for part of last weekend as part of the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project are in the works for this weekend. Read on for the official word from SDOT:

Work to widen the South Spokane Street Viaduct – the 60-year-old elevated
roadway that connects I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge-will continue this weekend.
Crews will again close two ramps leading to West Seattle:

* The northbound I-5 off-ramp leading to the West Seattle Bridge.

* The ramp from Columbian Way (from Beacon Hill) leading to the West Seattle
Bridge.

These ramps will be closed from 10:00 p.m., Friday, January 29, until 5:00 a.m.,
Monday, February 1. In case of rain, crews may reschedule some of the work for the
following weekend.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will detour traffic on surface
streets through the south of downtown area using the route shown on the enclosed map
(see attachment). Drivers should expect congestion on I-5 near the Spokane Street
Viaduct and in the SODO area Friday night through early Monday morning. This phase
of the project should have minimal disruptions for King County Metro Transit bus
service, but there could be delays if there is traffic congestion.

Drivers going to and from the Seattle Boat Show at the Qwest Field Event Center and
the Mariners’ FanFest at Safeco Field should use the James Street, Airport Way,
Dearborn Street or Forest Street exits from I-5, and then follow signs to the
stadiums. From the Alaskan Way Viaduct (SR99), take the First Avenue South exit.
Traffic on I-90 will not be affected.

Drivers should also be aware of the following ongoing closures:

* The existing westbound Spokane Street Viaduct off-ramp to Fourth Ave South
is permanently closed.

* All lanes of lower Spokane Street between Sixth and First avenues are
closed to through traffic for the duration of the project. Local business access,
however, will be preserved.

* Fourth Ave South between South Horton and Industrial Way South is reduced
to one lane in each direction for the next several months. This may also include
full closures of the northbound lanes at night for up to a week.

You may recall, the work finished early last weekend, and these ramps reopened by mid-evening Saturday.