Traffic alert: Date set for lane closure on Spokane Street Viaduct

(WSB photo from May, showing where the top of the new ramp will be ‘fused’ to the old roadway)
First warning of this came during the May media tour of the Spokane Street Viaduct‘s soon-to-open 4th Avenue exit ramp (from the eastbound side), and now the date’s set for the lane closure that will finish the process, but cause backups for several weeks in the meantime. From SDOT:

The new eastbound Fourth Avenue S off-ramp from the Spokane Street Viaduct (the raised roadway that links the West Seattle Bridge to I-5) is nearing completion. The Seattle Department of Transportation’s contractor begins work to connect the new off-ramp to the viaduct the night of July 19th. This work requires closing the eastbound right-hand lane of the viaduct, between approximately First and Fourth avenues S, for up to six weeks starting at 9 p.m. July 19th. Electronic sign boards will notify the travelling public in advance of the upper roadway lane closure.

On July 16th, two eastbound lanes of lower Spokane Street will re-open between East Marginal Way S and Fourth Avenue S, with one lane continuing to Sixth Avenue. The change means drivers on lower Spokane, who were restricted to East Marginal Way S for south-bound travel, will be able to continue to Fourth Ave S to turn right and head south. Also, on July 15th, the sidewalk on the south side of Spokane Street will open for use.

clark5080 July 8, 2010 (2:51 pm)

Interesting when it gets close to election time money starts pouring out of the woodwork. Not sure exactly where it is coming from due to budget shortfalls on most city and county government agencies.

Tony S July 8, 2010 (3:15 pm)

Yikes; one lane out of West Seattle for up to six weeks. That’s really going to flumox traffic up — just think of how bad it is now at rush hour with TWO lanes. I understand it takes some short term pain for long term gain, but this is going to be a doozy. The memo from DOT doesn’t say if this is being done on an ‘expedited’ schedule — meaning swing and/or graveyard shifts as well. Is it just a 9 to 5’er and they get it done at their regular pace, or are they taking special circumstances (colossal traffic backups) into account and trying to speed this part of the program up?

Brian C July 8, 2010 (3:22 pm)

I was going to ask the same as Tony. Does anyone know if they are closing the lane just at night or is it going to be a ’round the clock work schedule?

WSB July 8, 2010 (3:27 pm)

Yes, it’s around the clock.

Smitty July 8, 2010 (3:34 pm)

Probably more expensive/dangerous than it is worth but it would be nice if they could somehow make one of the westbound lanes an eastbound lane for the morning commute.

This is REALLY going to be bad, folks.

Pete July 8, 2010 (3:42 pm)

This is a long planned situation. There have been several stories here on WSB as well as other notifications that this was coming. The work will be 24/7 until the 4th St off ramp is opened to traffic.

@Clark5080….this is not new money that was just found. This money has been appropriated for several years and this is one of the early projects for the overall plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

>>
Also remember that some of the traffic will be abel to divert at the 1st Ave exit and go straight down surface street Spokane that will be opening the Friday before the upper Spokane land closure.

JanS July 8, 2010 (4:00 pm)

time to do like Europe and take the month of August off :)

sw July 8, 2010 (4:50 pm)

Was there any mention of having both lanes on the First Ave exit ramp open? We’re still restricted to one lane to collect the exiting traffic.

sophista-tiki July 8, 2010 (5:33 pm)

Any word when lower Spokane Street will be open all the way to Airport Way. I know they said it will be open to to Sixth Ave S. But will we be able to go all the way through to the beautiful shinny new Airport Way?