Update: Southbound 99 lane fixed, reopened, re-closed, re-opened

ORIGINAL 2:55 PM REPORT: Just in from WSDOT:

The right lane of southbound SR 99, approximately ½ mile north of the West Seattle Bridge, is closed for emergency road repair work. The lane will be closed through the evening commute. During the 6-hour closure, crews will place a steel plate in the lane. When the road reopens, motorcyclists should use extra caution near the steel plates. The 40 mph speed limit will not change.

ADDED 3:31 PM: On the WSB Facebook page, at least one person with a view of the Viaduct says it’s already a mess.

5:35 PM UPDATE: WSDOT has reopened the lane hours earlier than projected.

LATE-NIGHT UPDATE: And WSDOT says it’s closed again.

SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: And … reopened.

Franchesca November 4, 2011 (3:25 pm)

Does this mean the exit to the West Seatle bridge will be closed? I am beyond confused with all the construction! I’m afraid to go out anymore. I believe there also was a traffic alert that the West Seattle bridge exit from I-5 (heading south) would be closed this weekend. Do you have any information on that? Thanks for all you do!

WSB November 4, 2011 (3:30 pm)

No. Those exits will be closed OVERNIGHT NEXT MON-FRI – the alert is a standing line on our sidebar headline list (see “Bridge Alert Next Week”). But a chokepoint there is bound to mean gridlock. On our Facebook page, one person with a Viaduct view says it’s gridlock already. I’m about to head back to West Seattle from covering the story I published before this one – and will see how things look (I’m taking 4th!) … TR

ca November 4, 2011 (3:34 pm)

so leaving ballard to WS is screwed is what your saying?!

Smitty November 4, 2011 (4:00 pm)

2nd to 4th to Holgate to Beacon to Columbian Way
is 20 minutes from Belltown.

Dr November 4, 2011 (4:02 pm)

Yes, I came south on 99 at 2:30 already very slow going….as I left w Seattle via 99 N saw it backed up solid from
Battery st tunnel (this was at 3:30)

JanS November 4, 2011 (5:17 pm)

Smitty..good route. We came down 4th at 3pm, and had no problems at all…went down via Costco to gas up and then home. Traffic southbound was backed up all the way to the tunnel and beyond, though down to the WS Bridge exit..