Highway 99 traffic alert: 6-week lane closure north of The Viaduct

Hadn’t mentioned this before, since it’s not the section of 99 that WSB covers closely – but Michelle e-mailed us about it today, saying it will affect her commute and she thought other West Seattleites would want to know too: Starting tomorrow, 99 southbound will narrow from three lanes to two between Republican and John Streets, just north of the Battery Street Tunnel – all part of preparations for tunnel construction. The closure is expected to last about six weeks. WSDOT has full details here.

KBear March 5, 2012 (4:25 pm)

Coincidentally, six weeks is also the estimated travel time from North Seattle to West Seattle during this lane closure.

marty March 5, 2012 (4:28 pm)

Narrow to two lanes? Great chance to see what will happen when the “new” tunnel is opened. Talk about poor planning…. Obsolete before it is opened.

Robert March 5, 2012 (4:55 pm)

Not 100% on topic but I’ve noticed when coming from the South Lake Union areas it can be better to go through downtown on 2nd Avenue and then get on Southbound 99 at Columbia rather than upstream from there. The backups on southbound 99 in the Viaduct portion can start as early as 3 PM and by taking the well timed 2nd Avenue to Columbia you can avoid the backup.

But don’t tell anyone else! :-)

Peter on Fauntleroy March 5, 2012 (5:15 pm)

Please note that the 54 is a through route of the 5. The detour may cause delays on the 54 heading out of downtown. One Bus Away may have trouble tracking the 54, too.
http://seattletransitblog.com/2012/03/02/six-week-detour-for-aurora-buses-begins-next-week/

Peter on Fauntleroy March 5, 2012 (5:21 pm)

Marty, the Battery Street tunnel is only two lanes now, this only affect those exiting right before the tunnel while heading south.

alkigirl March 5, 2012 (6:53 pm)

KBear — your witty comment caused me to have a really good chuckle — thank you!

LongTimer WS March 5, 2012 (7:30 pm)

Thank you Robert. Not telling a soul.

Michelle March 5, 2012 (7:32 pm)

Robert- Thank you for the tip! I will try that, as it’s a good point I just hadn’t thought of yet. I promise not to tell anyone else ;).

ILoveWestSeattle March 5, 2012 (7:39 pm)

KBear, I concur with alkigirl! I was so amused by your caustic comment I had to read it aloud to my partner–thanks for the laugh! :)

Dan March 5, 2012 (7:53 pm)

Thanks for the head’s up, everyone. Times like this I am sure glad to have the Water Taxi to get out of downtown!

marty March 5, 2012 (8:09 pm)

Peter: At least now there are some exits.

questionable March 6, 2012 (6:46 am)

marty: as there will be in the future. if someone can’t be bothered to drive a few blocks through downtown they shouldn’t be behind the wheel.

WS commuter March 6, 2012 (9:24 am)

I remain bemused at the caterwauling over the DBT. The existing Battery St. Tunnel is only two lanes … so while the new tunnel will also involve 2 lanes, they will be “better” in the sense that they will be engineered according to modern highway standards – wider and better grading – and therefore actually more likely to be faster to drive than the current tunnel.

And besides, all you grumblers won’t want to pay the toll anyway, so the rest of us will have much faster commutes as a result of the fewer cars on it. Win-win.