BREAKING: City to delay bridge-closing Fauntleroy Expressway work to avoid Viaduct-closure overlap

4:59 PM: Just got word that the city has changed its mind about launching the bridge-and-more-closing Fauntleroy Expressway bearing-pad re-replacement project next week, right before the tunneling-related Alaskan Way Viaduct closure starts. Paul Elliott from SDOT just told WSB the bridge work will be delayed at least until mid-May.

6:06 PM: Backstory now that we’re (briefly) back at headquarters – the April 27th start date for this city work was announced just hours before the state announced the April 29th start date for the Viaduct closure, though it had been in the works for many months. When city, county, and state reps briefed the media on the Viaduct closure back on Monday, we asked the SDOT rep why they were still going ahead with the overlap. He mentioned they didn’t think there would be a problem because the bridge closures for this work would be late at night and early in the morning. We pointed out that the under-the-bridge surface daytime lane closures were more of a concern to commenters, and he said he would “take that back” to SDOT HQ. Back to this afternoon: Paul Elliott says an advisory is expected out tomorrow. And if you were still catching up to what this was all about – you might have seen the portable signboards in spots like Fauntleroy Way west of the bridge, talking about bridge closures 4/27-4/29 – that was for this (again, now postponed).

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Here’s the official city announcement.

13 Replies to "BREAKING: City to delay bridge-closing Fauntleroy Expressway work to avoid Viaduct-closure overlap"

  • Stacy April 21, 2016 (5:31 pm)

    Smart decision!

  • Mark schletty April 21, 2016 (6:00 pm)

    Wow. Who got them to uses a little common sense for the first time in years?

  • Iggy April 21, 2016 (6:00 pm)

    Dear WSB:  You are Community Journalism at its best.  Although the City appeared brain-dead about any issues with the Spokane St. lane closures when the Viaduct would also be closed, you were persistent and diligent in following up with the City on our behalf.  Thank you.

    • WSB April 21, 2016 (6:05 pm)

      Thanks, Iggy. We just ask the questions :) I managed to get the first one in at the briefing back on Monday and it was about this. If you recall, they announced the final dates/times for this closure just hours before the state announced the tunneling-machine closure date … they could have just walked it back then, but I guess it took a few days to go through the system. When I called Paul Elliott again this morning to ask for an ETA on final information, he said a couple meetings were ahead today … I’m adding this to what’s above but will also note here, an “official” advisory is expected out tomorrow. – TR

  • dsa April 21, 2016 (6:20 pm)

    Tracy you rock, thank you for your professionalism.

  • rb April 21, 2016 (6:50 pm)

     don’t forget we lost the prince today

    • WSB April 21, 2016 (7:06 pm)

      Re: Prince, yes, we mourn him too. No West Seattle tribute yet that I’ve seen or heard of – we checked a few times to see if the Easy Street marquee might be changed, but as of our second check, it hadn’t been. Will check again after the meeting I’m at in The Junction tonight … TR

  • Franci April 21, 2016 (7:58 pm)

    Thank you for asking the questions and letting them know its a major commute route in the morning, especially with the viaduct closure.  Hurray!!

  • Harold April 21, 2016 (8:16 pm)

    Would be great if the city could also ease up on the closure on 23rd ave E (Central Area) while the viaduct is closed. 23rd is a viable alternative for heading north from West Seattle

  • JanS April 22, 2016 (12:56 am)

    a little communication goes a long way to a little coordination. Do the city’s left and right hand ever get together? Maybe we need to have them move over here temporarily to see what’s what, when the viaduct closes.

  • Jim Borrow April 22, 2016 (6:49 am)

    Thank goodness for your persistence WSB. The problems with the under viaduct lane closures would have been compounded by the work being done at the Avalon Way/ Andover/ Yancy intersection which is an important route for commuters.  Perhaps  that work will be finished by the time the now rescheduled Fauntleroy expressway work is begun.

    • WSB April 22, 2016 (6:51 am)

      Good point. Will be checking in with that project today.

  • westSeattleSteve April 22, 2016 (8:58 pm)

    23rd has been reopened northbound past Jackson, I don’t know how far. They did put it on a diet, and it is only 1 lane, but the Metro stops are in a dedicated lane. You can head north to MLK at either Jackson or Yessler to continue northbound.

Sorry, comment time is over.