Beginning today, September 16, intermittent lane closures will occur on Fairview Avenue North and will continue for approximately two weeks. The curb lanes on both sides of the street will be closed at two locations. One location is just north of Valley Street between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The other location is between Harrison and Republican streets, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the northbound lane, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the southbound lane. At least one lane on Fairview will remain open in each direction. There will also be temporary sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours. Please see the attached construction flyer for maps showing the lane closure locations.

The lane closures are necessary for the installation of Metro transit poles. King County Metro expects to move the existing overhead trolley lines to the new poles in October to accommodate construction.

Also beginning today, crews will remove previously-marked trees along Westlake Avenue N, Ninth Avenue N and Broad Street. These trees are being removed due to their proximity to the work area and will be replaced after construction is completed. The final design of the east phase of the Mercer Corridor Project includes planting two new trees for every one removed, in accordance with City of Seattle standards, as well as planting more than 10,000 new shrubs and other plants throughout the project area.

For more information: please visit the project website at www.seattle.gov/Transportation/ppmp_mercer.htm. or contact LeAnne Nelson, (206) 684-3897.

Media contact: Marybeth Turner, (206) 684-8548, marybeth.turner@seattle.gov