The new eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct 4th Avenue S Off-ramp opened for use Monday, August 16th. Safety barriers were removed after the morning commute, then after a brief ribbon cutting and media tour, traffic was allowed to flow onto the new eastbound off-ramp. Both eastbound lanes of the upper roadway are now open to traffic.

Stuart Goldsmith, Project manager on the Spokane Street Project said, "75,000 vehicles a day are on the Spokane Street viaduct, and we estimate at least 5,000 a day on this Fourth Avenue Ramp, and more when I-5 backs up. The 1st Avenue ramp should open by fall of next year. That's the next big phase. The whole project will be complete in Spring, 2012.

This is really a safety project and this ramp adds a whole new dimension to safety, making it possible for smoother exits and entries. You used to have this old 4th Avenue suicide ramp."

Originally set to open for use by December 2010 the ramp opened well ahead of schedule. This will allow motorists, transit and freight traffic direct access to northbound and southbound 4th Avenue S while avoiding rail traffic.

Sally Clark, Seattle City Council said, "It's nice to be able to cut the ribbon on a project that comes in early and under budget. I want more of that. I love these. It's a big deal for folks in West Seattle. People have been watching and waiting for this. People have certainly been inconvenienced by the construction. But having it done it's going to be nice to see what a difference it makes for them getting back to home and work."

The work is possible in part because of $25 million in funding from the Washington State Department of Transportation. WSDOT contributed funding because the project was identified as a way to keep traffic moving during construction to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

On hand for the ceremonies was Tom Rassmussan, Seattle City Council who said, "This is going to be extremely important to us in West Seattle traveling to and from I-5. It was done almost 100 days early, and $4 million under budget. It's a really good start for this project. Just incredibly helpful while all these detours are under way. We've got a lot more to do but this is a really good start."

SDOT sent a press release with additional info:

The new ramp facilitates more direct freight and commuter access to vital industrial and commercial neighborhoods, while also improving traffic circulation within SODO. It additionally reduces conflicts between vehicular and railroad traffic, and will serve as a relief valve to surface streets when I-5 ramp congestion backs up onto the Spokane Street Viaduct. Construction of the off-ramp began in the fall of 2008.

“The opening of this ramp will enhance the flow of traffic on a major east/west corridor and improve access to SODO and downtown,” said Peter Hahn, director of SDOT. “This will allow the city to reduce traffic delays and better serve the needs of freight, all of which helps Seattle industry and our local economy.”

Construction of the new ramp was made possible in part by a $25 million contribution from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) as well as funds from the Puget Sound Regional Council, Seattle taxpayers, and approximately $13 million from the federal government. WSDOT funding came after the project was identified as a way to keep traffic moving during Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement. The new off-ramp will be critical when SR-99 northbound capacity from West Seattle will be reduced later next year

“WSDOT is proud to be a partner with Seattle on this important project,” said Ron Paananen, WSDOT Program Administrator for the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement. “Our funding contribution helped ensure this new access to downtown is available for West Seattle commuters before construction to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct intensifies.”

The overall Spokane Street Viaduct project includes widening the 60-year-old elevated structure to the north by 41 feet with wider lanes and shoulders, completely rebuilding lower S Spokane Street in concrete, adding a new westbound acceleration/deceleration lane at First Avenue S, seismically strengthening the viaduct and installing a new 10-foot wide sidewalk on the north side of lower S Spokane Street for pedestrians and bicycles.

For information about construction closures for this project and other projects, please visit Construction Closures in Downtown Seattle and SODO at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/sodo_latest.htm.