SR 99 construction bypass: Keeping traffic moving through SODO

On Oct. 21, we will close SR 99 and begin demolishing part of the viaduct. When SR 99 reopens to traffic on Oct. 31, both north and southbound traffic will be traveling on the first of two new bridges currently being built to the west of the existing viaduct. Drivers will pass through a large bypass located between South King Street and South Royal Brougham Way. The bypass will connect the new SR 99 bridge to the existing viaduct at South King Street. It also keeps traffic on SR 99 moving while giving central waterfront viaduct replacement crews enough space to work.

South of South King Street, SR 99 will have two lanes in each direction. North of South King Street the viaduct will remain in its current configuration with three lanes in each direction.

Learn more at: http://wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR99/HolgateToKing/ViaductNineDayClosure.htm

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Viaduct
• SR 99
• construction
• SODO
• SR 99 Tunnel construction
• Alaskan Way

[byakuen1]

Once the Viaduct is torn down, is part of this new road going to be a part of the waterfront's Alaskan Way or direct connect to the tunnel? I'm really not looking forward to the slower traffic denoted on the speed limit signs during rush hours. Traffic is already unnecessarily slow at the moment at 35.......It's harder to properly merge or changing lanes without slowing down traffic even more.

[wsdot]

@byakuen1 – The bypass is temporary and allows us to keep traffic moving on SR 99 while we replace the viaduct. The reduced speed limit is necessary because of the curves, narrowed lanes and limited shoulders on the bypass. The bypass will stay in place until the SR 99 tunnel opens at the end of 2015.

[RobertSeattle]

Are there plans to have a wrecker(s) on call during rush hours? Just one small breakdown will instantly cause a huge traffic jam since there is no breakdown lanes available.

[wsdot]

@RobertSeattle - Yes, our Incident Response Teams will be on the viaduct during rush hours.

[caa1000]

Is this where the new tunnel will start construction?

[wsdot]

@caa1000 - Yes, tunnel construction will start in the SODO area near the stadiums. To keep traffic moving, we need to bypass traffic around the tunnel contractor’s construction area.

[dhide14]

how is a tunnel safer than the current viaduct? Won't a tunnel collapse in an Earthquake and trap more people?

[Asenueh]

@jaygno I'm a native and the way things were done when Seattle was developing was to do everything, on the cheap, piecemeal and as a stopgap measure, which then becomes institutionalized. The saying of the city's founders was , "We didn't come here to spend money." I suppse their plans were to come here, exploit the natural resources, take their money and leave, without any thought to building a livable legacy here.  That came later when the area got a little bluer politically.

[seattlelyn]

how do you get off of 99S to get to I-90

[RagTagTheater]

I have only one complaint about this video: the sky is blue and the pavement is dry. Come on, that had to give you a little smile in the midst of some of these snarky comments. :-)

[json8tr]

Nice graphics! reminds me of the 1st Grand turismo game on Playstation, going around the Kingdome!

[biukucanoe]

Can they make the Seattle models open to the public for free or for a reasonable fee? Now render an 8 corner views so you can simulate the wonderful drive by seattle waterfron that will be gone forever when they tear down this old loved relic.

[seamones]

you suck. how much did this idiotic video cost?

[jaygno]

there seems to be a disconnect between reality of traffic and city planning in this city. I am new to town and am astounded at the outdated, moronic city planning. i thought Seattle was this progressive, smart place...I guess i need to move to an expensive neighborhood where i work and give up my car. The idea must be that we all give up our cars and bike so we will be ready for our Chinese overlords when they come to collect...