Beginning this morning, April 28, the state transportation department will be demolishing two large buildings on state property near Qwest Field. The removal of the buildings will create space for a number of construction projects that will replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Crews will demolish, a 40,000-square-foot warehouse and a 10,000 -square-foot-office building located on the west side of First Avenue South between South Royal Brougham Way and South Dearborn Street. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. demolition work will occur on weekdays and will last through June.

Crews will be spending the rest of 2009 relocating utilities taken between South Holgate Street and South King Street, to prepare for construction of the viaduct’s south end replacement, which will begin in early 2010.

The South Holgate Street to South King Street project will connect the bored tunnel that will replace the central waterfront portion of the viaduct. The bored tunnel will include a new waterfront surface street, transit investments, and downtown waterfront and city street improvements. The central waterfront seawall will also be replaced.

The state will be working with social service organizations to ensure the safety of the homeless in the area during demolition and crews will be coordinating with nearby road construction projects to minimize the effects of construction on nearby businesses and neighborhoods, according to a press release from the state.

Drivers should expect to see an increase in truck traffic in the area.

"We are expecting periods of additional truck traffic, but do not anticipate any significant traffic delays as a result of this project," said Chad Schuster, a spokesperson for the project.