Expect Delays on SR 99 Starting Jan 18
The SR 99 lane closures that were supposed to occur last March but were postponed are officially now scheduled starting January 18. The closures will reduce both directions of State Route 99/Aurora Avenue North by one lane between the Aurora Bridge and just north of Mercer Street. The median lanes in each direction will close for four to five weeks starting Monday evening, Jan. 18.
WSDOT anticipates backups and is urging commuters to carpool, travel in off-peak hours or telecommute. The closures are required for the installation of large sign foundations for the future SR 99 tunnel. According to WSDOT “winter months typically see lower traffic volumes.”
While the two lanes in each direction of SR 99 between Highland Drive and the Aurora Bridge will remain open during peak commute hours, buses and vehicles will share the bus-only lane. That doesn’t mean we should expect a traffic miracle, however, so here’s some trip planning links you may want to keep handy to help plan your commute.
King County Metro: www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/MetroTransit/Developers/AppCenter.aspx
WSDOT’s travel tools: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Construction/PugetSound/GetAround.htm
SDOT’s travelers page: http://web6.seattle.gov/travelers/
Closure Details
Jan. 18 through mid-February
- Median lanes close in both directions between the Aurora Bridge and Highland Drive, north of Mercer Street
- An additional lane will close at night and during several weekends including Jan. 23-24
Mid-February through early March
- Median lanes reopen. Northbound traffic returns to normal pattern
- The southbound curb lane near Comstock Street will close for approximately three weeks
- An additional southbound lane may close at night
For more information about this project, go to: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct.
