Traffic alert: More ramp/lane closures ahead on Highway 99

That’s the map showing where the state’s installing automatic closure gates that are supposed to go down almost instantly if there’s a big earthquake, to keep traffic off the Alaskan Way Viaduct until it’s checked out. The work to install those gates has necessitated ramp and lane closures, and more are ahead in the next week, just announced and all listed here.

Sue December 7, 2010 (3:48 pm)

Okay, so let me get this straight. It was decided to do this in 2005, it’s finally being worked on in 2010 and 2011, and they’re planning on tearing down the whole thing anyway. So why are we doing this now? Oh, and will these gates that come down also keep people who are ON the viaduct from continuing OFF of it, if road conditions warrant? I’d hate to think that people would get trapped behind gates, unable to leave a viaduct that (at that moment) is still standing, and left waiting to see it falls with them on it.

marty December 7, 2010 (4:12 pm)

Perfect! We get by for years without gates and now that the economy is in the tank be decide to spend millons for installation. Where is the common sense in government spending?

JEM December 7, 2010 (4:43 pm)

Also – the North-bound on ramp from 1st ave south will be demolished and realigned starting later this month. Fun times in the SODO hood!
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR99/HolgateToKing/CurrentWork.htm

austin December 7, 2010 (4:51 pm)

Looking for common sense in what the government does? Follow the money.

Rick December 7, 2010 (9:28 pm)

What a complete and absolute waste of the tax payers money. They obviously are aware of the plan to re-direct traffic in the comming years. The city and state are always moaning about budget shortfalls – then they waste money on this. Un-believable.The is the poster child project for government waste. Come on Mayor and Governor – you can do better!!

bridge to somewhere December 8, 2010 (7:44 am)

I predict a news story, post earthquake. The first line of the story: “In an ironic twist, during the earthquare a Seattle man died on highway 99 after an earthquake gate designed to protect him came crashing down on his car while he was going 50 miles per hour.”