The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will reopen the West Emerson Overpass to traffic today, December 19, completing a challenging 11-week repair project.

This is the first major repair to the bridge since it first opened in 1959. In less than three months construction crews have successfully installed a new bridge girder, repaved the entire bridge deck, poured new sidewalks and curbs, installed new bridge expansion joints, and performed other repairs to the surrounding sidewalks and roads.

“We’re working to maintain and upgrade the city’s transportation infrastructure so that it meets the needs of a growing Seattle,” said Scott Kubly, SDOT director. “Repairing key throughways like the West Emerson Overpass will keep people and goods moving through Seattle for years to come.”

Some additional items of work that are weather dependent – like permanent road striping – will be scheduled once the weather improves next year; this work will not require another overpass closure, but travelers should expect some lane restrictions and traffic impacts.

Lanes will reopen following the afternoon/evening travel peak. For more information on the project, visit www.seattle.gov/transportation/15thavewestoverpass.htm.