Update: 1st Ave So eastbound offramp lane closure starts Monday

Just last night, we reported on another lane restriction on the Spokane Street Viaduct (the section of The Bridge between Highway 99 and I-5) that at the time was noted as starting “soon” – reducing the eastbound 1st Avenue South exit to one lane – and now there’s word it starts Monday. Here’s the official announcement just sent by SDOT:

The First Avenue South off-ramp from eastbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct (the structure that connects the West Seattle Bridge with I-5) will be reduced to one lane for up to five months starting Monday, March 22.

First Avenue South, recently reduced to one lane for southbound traffic, will also be restricted to one lane for northbound traffic from Spokane to Hanford streets, also for up to five months.

The exception is the weekend of March 27-28, when the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed for inspection. During that weekend, two lanes on the ramp and northbound First Avenue will stay open to improve access to downtown Seattle.

The lane restrictions are needed for work on the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening project.

The next major milestone in the South Spokane Street Viaduct Project (the structure that links the West Seattle Bridge to I-5) is the permanent closure of the First Avenue South on-ramp to the westbound lanes of the viaduct, tentatively scheduled for May 17.

For information about construction closures for this project and other projects, please visit Construction Closures in Downtown Seattle and SODO at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/sodo_latest.htm

Robert2715 March 19, 2010 (10:48 am)

It’s the Aclosurelypse!

M March 19, 2010 (11:15 am)

Doesn’t look like they are too far from completing the new 4th Ave offramp. So why don’t they wait until after they open the “new 4th Ave offramp”. Doing so will relieve some of the congestion of the lane/ramp closure on 1st Ave offramp. I guess It’s too logical for govt to figure out.

miws March 19, 2010 (1:25 pm)

Robert, I was just about to Google “Aclosurelypse”, for a definition, until I reread it a couple of times and figured it out! :D

Mike

WSB March 19, 2010 (1:35 pm)

Was in traffic somewhere when we read Robert’s comment, and laughed. Although I think Closurepocalypse will be more melodic.

sw March 19, 2010 (1:57 pm)

M – you’re making too much sense. Knock it off. :-)

Westie March 19, 2010 (3:10 pm)

Lame, lame, lame. Traffic in and out of WS is going to be horrible for a long time on now. Does anyone working for the transit agencies live in WS? Wait until 4th Ave off ramp opens, then close roads.

sw March 19, 2010 (3:36 pm)

TR: Have you inquired with SDOT as to why they cannot delay this work until the Fourth Ave ramp is open? They already have a solution underway – why not utilize it?

sam March 19, 2010 (4:07 pm)

yeah, I like ‘closurepocalypse’-

the other one sounds too much like

‘hey close your lips’

brittany March 19, 2010 (4:09 pm)

they’re closing the 1st ave onramp? will there be no way to get on the bridge other than I-5 and 99?

ad March 19, 2010 (5:01 pm)

brittany-correct. or if you dont waqnt to use the big bridge, use the lower west seattle bridge. but that won’t happen until may 17.

but starting this coming monday cars will be backed up on the west seattle bridge because only one lane will be open on the off ramp…

ughhh..

Angie March 19, 2010 (8:07 pm)

Can we go all the way across to Beacon Hill and turn around so we can return underneath Spokane street and then go northbound on 6th? What will be open westbound underneath on Spokane Street for people coming off Beacon Hill?

Sorry, comment time is over.