There is currently a temporary closure between Airport Way South and 6th Avenue South on South Spokane Street. It is needed to allow placement of a water quality vault underneath the Spokane Street Viaduct just west of Sixth Avenue South, and will be in place for approximately eight weeks.
This closure of westbound traffic between Airport Way South and Sixth Avenue South will not affect vehicles approaching South Spokane Street from northbound I-5 (via exit 163) or from Beacon Hill (via S Columbian Way).
Westbound traffic on Spokane Street will, however, take a slight jog to the left as they proceed through the intersection. Westbound traffic will also have the option of turning left to proceed south on Sixth Avenue South.
This left-hand turn onto Sixth is possible because there is at present no eastbound traffic on Spokane at this intersection. Until Metro bus traffic returns to eastbound Spokane between the E-3 Busway and 6th Avenue South –now planned for near the end of July – this left-hand turn onto Sixth Avenue will be allowed.
South Spokane Street between First and Fourth Avenues will remain closed to eastbound traffic nearly until the new 4th Avenue Off-ramp to is opened late in 2010.
4th Avenue Off-Ramp Construction Progress
Shaft construction has been proceeding rapidly, with the last of these massive underground structures west of Fourth Avenue now finished and just those in the City Light Parking lot left to drill and pour. Construction of the columns on top of these shafts is also going well, with work on the superstructure that will support the roadway to follow this summer.
South Spokane Viaduct Widening Progress
Plans and specifications for the widening work will be advertised for construction the week of May 11, with bids due late in June. Mobilization for construction is planned for September of this year, with demolition of the existing 4th Avenue (west-bound) off-ramp likely to follow soon after.
In the meantime, subsurface investigation continues on the north side of the existing viaduct for location of underground utilities. This work will occasionally require the closure of traffic lanes on westbound Spokane Street for short periods.
