All eastbound traffic was temporarily moved off of the old viaduct structure and onto the new viaduct structure this past Thursday, April 12. The two lanes of eastbound traffic joined the two lanes of westbound traffic that had been permanently shifted to the new viaduct structure near the end of last year. It was necessary to shift traffic off of the old viaduct in order to make way for repairing and resurfacing its bridge deck, after which eastbound traffic will be returned to the then refurbished structure.

While all four lanes are traveling on the new structure, travel lanes are 10’ in width, and the speed limit has been reduced to 25 MPH (down from 35 MPH). Travel lanes will be 11’ in width in the final configuration and the higher speed limit will be restored.

Either (or both) the First or Fourth Avenue S off-ramps will remain open while the repair work is being done on the old structure. For the initial phase of these repairs, the Fourth Avenue off-ramp has been closed and will remain closed for 6-8 weeks.

Additionally, eastbound access to the upper Spokane Viaduct and the I-5 ramps from Harbor Island will be restricted until eastbound traffic is returned to the then refurbished viaduct structure. During this period, the Harbor Island on-ramp will only provide access to northbound SR99.

Eastbound traffic is expected to return to the refurbished Spokane Viaduct in the late summer.

Now Through Tuesday, May 8

There will be a 24/7 round-the-clock partial intersection closure at East Marginal Way S and S Spokane Street for paving. For the next couple of weeks, northbound traffic wishing to turn west at S Spokane Street will be U-turned further north to allow access to Harbor Island and/or West Seattle. (Eastbound lower S Spokane Street will remain open.) Southbound traffic will take a short detour to the west before returning to southbound East Marginal Way S.

Northbound traffic will then be restored while the rest of the intersection is paved. Northbound to westbound turns will continue to be detoured.

For more information: Paul Elliott, (206) 684-5321
Media contact: Marybeth Turner, (206) 684-8548