The intersection of Aurora Avenue N and N 85th Street is scheduled to close again next weekend as part the N/NW 85th Street Paving Project. The closure is needed to complete asphalt resurfacing north and south of the new concrete intersection. Work will also take place over the weekend on N 85th Street between Aurora Avenue N and Densmore Avenue N to remove the existing asphalt in the center lanes and complete base paving. This work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the case of rain.

The Aurora Avenue N and N 85th Street intersection will be closed to traffic from 10 p.m. Friday, September 21 until 6 a.m. Monday, September 24.  Lanes will begin closing at 8 p.m. on Friday, and all lanes on Aurora Avenue N will be closed by 10 p.m.  During the closure, Aurora Avenue N traffic will be detoured from the north at N 105th Street and from the south at Green Lake Way N. Local access will be provided to nearby businesses and residences. One westbound lane on N 85th Street will be maintained through the intersection during this work. The eastbound closure on N 85th Street between Aurora Avenue N and Wallingford Avenue N will remain in effect. The eastbound lanes between Greenwood and Aurora avenues N will also be closed with eastbound traffic detoured to N 80th Street from Greenwood Avenue N to I-5.

Drivers should expect significant traffic congestion in the area, allow extra time for travel, and follow clearly marked detour routes to avoid shortcuts using neighborhood streets. Uniformed police officers will be onsite to assist with area traffic over the weekend. Some Metro bus routes will be affected by this work – look for Rider Alert notices at the bus stops and see reroute information later this week on Metro Online www.kingcounty.gov/metro or call (206) 553-3000.

If work is completed early, the intersection will reopen before Monday morning. This is the final weekend closure needed for the Aurora Avenue N and N 85th Street intersection as a part of the project. The two-mile paving project on N/NW 85th Street is almost complete, with major construction wrapping up in five of the six phases of work. Construction is expected to be complete on the final phase between Aurora Ave N and Wallingford Ave N by the end of October.

For more information, contact the 24-hour project line at (206) 496-9993, email pave_85th@seattle.gov, or visit http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pave_85th.htm.

Media contact: Marybeth Turner, (206) 684-8548