The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close both directions of Elliott Avenue West overnight between Fourth Avenue West and Western Avenue West Thursday evening, January 12 through the early morning of Friday, January 13th. The closure will allow crews to set girders for the new West Thomas Street pedestrian and bicycle overpass over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
Crews will begin by closing two southbound lanes on Elliott Avenue West at 6 p.m. on Thursday, and will close additional lanes as the work progresses. The full width of the street will be closed beginning at 11 p.m. During this time, the road will be closed to all traffic, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Elliott Avenue West will reopen at 5 a.m. on Friday, January 13th.
Detour routes are as follows (see map on SDOT’s Web site):
- Northbound drivers on Elliott Avenue West will turn right onto Western Avenue, then left onto First Avenue West, left onto West Harrison Street and right onto Elliott Avenue West to continue traveling northbound.
- Northbound drivers on Western Avenue will turn right onto Second Avenue West, then left onto West Harrison Street, and right onto Elliott Avenue West to continue traveling northbound.
- Southbound drivers on Elliott Avenue West will turn left onto West Harrison Street and then right onto Second Avenue West, left onto Western Avenue to continue travelling southbound.
Construction of the West Thomas Street pedestrian and bicycle overpass began in August 2011 and is scheduled for completion in spring, 2012. The new structure will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to cross over Elliott Avenue West and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad tracks to Myrtle Edwards Park. The upgrades will improve safety and access for pedestrians and bicyclists traveling from the lower Queen Anne community to the park. The new overpass will also connect the bicycle trail in Myrtle Edwards Park with the Lake Bay Loop, a proposed trail that would connect South Lake Union to Seattle Center.
For more information: Maribel Cruz, (206) 684-7963, maribel.cruz@seattle.gov
Media contact: Marybeth Turner, (206) 684-8548, marybeth.turner@seattle.gov