UPDATE: Highway 99 tunnel reopens after emergency closure

(‘Live’ image from camera inside south end of NB 99 tunnel)

12:05 AM: Received from WSDOT:

Both directions of the State Route 99 tunnel in downtown Seattle are closed … for emergency maintenance.

There is no estimate when the tunnel will reopen.

WSDOT’s short notice did not hint at the reason for the maintenance, although it arrived in an email whose subject line mentioned “testing.”

2:05 AM: WSDOT just announced the tunnel has reopened. We’ll follow up this morning to see what the “emergency” was.

9:53 AM: A WSDOT spokesperson replied, “We needed to close the SR 99 tunnel last night for unplanned emergency maintenance on life safety systems. When we do this type of maintenance, our standard operating procedure is to close the tunnel.” We’re asking for specifics on followup – particularly, which “life-safety system” broke?

11:00 AM: Nothing “broke,” clarifies WSDOT’s RB McKeon, with whom we subsequently spoke by phone. During maintenance work that crews were doing on the tunnel’s operating system last night, “there can be a loss of communication with our Transportation Management Center,” and to ensure that wouldn’t happen with traffic in the tunnel, they closed it until the work was done.

michael@michaelstusser.com March 18, 2026 (12:52 am)

Yeah. I don’t like the sound of that.

Mmarie March 19, 2026 (10:34 pm)

I agree! I am a frequent tunnel user and will become more informed about the safety features of the tunnel.

22blades March 18, 2026 (4:56 am)

The level of transparency or at least explanation does not inspire confidence in case of a future emergency.

bill March 18, 2026 (8:32 am)

Would you prefer the graveyard shift staff at midnight to spend their time dealing with the emergency or being transparent?

Yma March 18, 2026 (6:53 am)

Whew!We drove through the tunnel a but before 10pm & saw nothing of concern. Couldn’t sleeep (so of course went to WSB) & read about the closure. Was dreading commute for all.Will be interested in what the emergency was.

Seattlite March 18, 2026 (7:57 am)

As a regular user of the HiWy 99 tunnels and understanding that the tunnels were built to withstand earthquakes up to 9.0 and to withstand seawater and water leakage, I feel safe when using the tunnels. However, it will be interesting to find out what this closure was all about. I have noticed that when I use the tunnels the overhead speed limit postings are not lit up. Drivers of cars, trucks, big rigs speed through the tunnels at dangerous speeds up 60 mph when the tunnels’ speed limit is only 45 mph. Being tailgated is the norm for me as driver who doesn’t exceed 45 mph in the tunnels for SAFETY reasons and adhering to the posted speed limit.

The Real JP March 18, 2026 (9:52 am)

What about WSDOTs statement specifying “emergency maintenance” leads you to believe the issue has anything to do with the speed limit?
- Seattlite March 18, 2026 (10:41 am)
  
  The Real JP: The speed limit problem is an aside comment that coalesces with ANY safety problems the tunnels may or may not have.
Derp March 18, 2026 (12:15 pm)

Very creative imagination

JK March 18, 2026 (10:06 am)

Yesterday around 1pm while driving through the tunnel back to West Seattle, there was water dripping down from above on to my car, as if it were raining inside the tunnel. I’ve never experienced water in any form inside the tunnel and found it very alarming.

Sorry, comment time is over.