The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will begin road closures and traffic detours on Monday, May 17th for rehabilitation work on the 15th Avenue NE bridge at NE 105th Street.

During construction, the bridge will close to all traffic, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. The project is scheduled for completion in mid 2011.

Detour routes are as follows:
• Traffic will be diverted to Roosevelt Way NE, Lake City Way NE/SR 522, and Northgate Way during construction. Signs announcing the closure and detour routes will be posted throughout the area.
• Local access on 15th Avenue NE north of the work area (between NE 106th and Northgate Way) will be maintained, with access from Northgate Way.
• Local access on 15th Avenue, south of the work area (to NE 104th Street), will be maintained, with access from Lake City Way.
• Closure signs and information flyers will be posted at each end of the bridge to help pedestrians and bicyclists identify alternate routes.

Repairs include strengthening the bridge structure, repaving the bridge surface, replacing expansion joints, adding a separation railing between the sidewalks and the traffic lanes, and correcting erosion problems along the slope of the ravine under the bridge.

This project is funded by the Bridging the Gap transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in November 2006.

For information: Maribel Cruz, (206) 684-7963, maribel.cruz@seattle.gov

Media contact: Marybeth Turner (206) 684-8548