Work to widen the South Spokane Street Viaduct – the 60-year-old elevated roadway that connects I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge—will continue this weekend. Crews will again close two ramps leading to West Seattle:

· The northbound I-5 off-ramp leading to the West Seattle Bridge.
· The ramp from Columbian Way (from Beacon Hill) leading to the West Seattle Bridge.
These ramps will be closed from 10:00 p.m., Friday, January 29, until 5:00 a.m., Monday, February 1. In case of rain, crews may reschedule some of the work for the following weekend.

You can download the detour map at the link above.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will detour traffic on surface streets through the south of downtown area using the route shown on the map shown above and available for download. Drivers should expect congestion on I-5 near the Spokane Street Viaduct and in the SODO area Friday night through early Monday morning. This phase of the project should have minimal disruptions for King County Metro Transit bus service, but there could be delays if there is traffic congestion.

Drivers going to and from the Seattle Boat Show at the Qwest Field Event Center and the Mariners’ FanFest at Safeco Field should use the James Street, Airport Way, Dearborn Street or Forest Street exits from I-5, and then follow signs to the stadiums. From the Alaskan Way Viaduct (SR99), take the First Avenue South exit. Traffic on I-90 will not be affected.

Drivers should also be aware of the following ongoing closures:

· The existing westbound Spokane Street Viaduct off-ramp to Fourth Ave South is permanently closed.
· All lanes of lower Spokane Street between Sixth and First avenues are closed to through traffic for the duration of the project. Local business access, however, will be preserved.
· Fourth Ave South between South Horton and Industrial Way South is reduced to one lane in each direction for the next several months. This may also include full closures of the northbound lanes at night for up to a week.

When complete, the South Spokane Street Viaduct Widening project will nearly double the width of the elevated roadway. Seattle commuters and the freight community will enjoy improved access between I-5, SODO (the area south of downtown) and West Seattle, and significantly improved traffic flow and safety on this key east-west route. The $168 million viaduct effort, SDOT’s largest project currently in construction, is expected to be complete by 2012.