Traffic alert for NEXT weekend: Alaskan Way Viaduct closure

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

Via Facebook, Robert noted that next Saturday’s Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon came up at West Seattle Runner during yesterday’s kickoff party for the Alki Beach 5K in August – and that it was the first he’d heard of next Saturday’s marathon closing the Alaskan Way Viaduct. So, it seems like time to start the reminders: Next Saturday (June 26), The Viaduct closes in both directions at 5 am. Southbound is supposed to reopen at 1;15, but northbound not till 4 pm. This is all according to the road closure plan on the marathon’s website (which includes other closures elsewhere in the metro area). Side note: What makes it Rock ‘n’ Roll is the live music promised “every mile,” by local musicians – here’s the list, which includes some acts you can see in The Junction during West Seattle Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB) in three weeks – Massy Ferguson and Kris Orlowski.

Admiral Janeway June 20, 2010 (11:32 am)

Thanks for the reminder. I was caught by surprise by last year’s closure. I hope this year SDOT will remember to turn on the Viaduct Closed lights on Admiral and Fauntleroy.

michael June 20, 2010 (3:03 pm)

perhaps we could do these events somewhere else so that we dont
have to mess up the traffic?

austin June 21, 2010 (9:19 am)

Yeah, because cars are the most important thing dontcha know.

bob June 21, 2010 (10:03 am)

Another justification for the deep bore tunnel — I doubt they will be closing it to run marathons thru it. What a pain!!! I’ve going to a get-together in north Seattle that afternoon which means leaving at least an hour earlier than usual.

JEM June 21, 2010 (12:32 pm)

I say YAY to running on the viaduct!

dottie June 21, 2010 (2:54 pm)

oh please, austin. than’s such a childish response. the fact is, the viaduct is a MAJOR north/south road through the city. and when it’s closed for non-traffic activity, it’s a huge inconvenience for anyone needing to get anywhere. don’t know if you live in W.Seattle, but how would you like to be having a heart attack and need to get to one of the pill hill hospitals via the 2 lane Spokane St. viaduct…good luck.

not sure why they’re allowed to close a major state hihgway for such activities. why not a major city street? how ’bout the “runathons” along Sandpoint way, from Husky Stadium to Magnuson? or Lake Washington blvd.? why not around Greenlake? Shilshole. Just don’t mess with a major freeway.

Phil Dirt June 22, 2010 (7:35 am)

What a stupid, stupid idea! Only in a city full of morons like Seattle would I expect an inconvenience like this one. It’s already too damned difficult to get back and forth from West Seattle with the Spokane St. construction.

Marge June 22, 2010 (12:51 pm)

so you think it makes sense when they shut down the I-90 bridge over several days for the Blue Angels? oh I get it that’s different, it’s a “tradition”.

HolyKow June 22, 2010 (3:39 pm)

No, Marge, that is a safety issue. People were stopping on the bridge and getting out of their cars when the BAs would fly over. Since people are so stupid, the city had to take a measure for public safety….

If they need to close the road for safety issues, like inspection, repair, fine. But that is 1 of 2 major roads that provide N/S access in this city/region and they are creating an emergency response issue with this. If you were hit by a bus in West Seattle and needed to get to an emergency facility in downtown, STAT, you might not make it because you are in an Ambo trying to weave thru the un-weaveable gridlock that pops up when they do these things….

City streets are in fact for vehicles (motor and non), highways are for motorized vehicles not for bicycle or pedestrian traffic. Pretty simple really…

I think that running on roads that are NOT vital transportation corridors in an area that has a distinct lack thereof is reasonable.

Sorry, comment time is over.