The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announces a major milestone for the Mercer Corridor Project with construction on the next phase, known as Mercer West, anticipated to begin this April.
The Mercer Corridor Project converts Mercer Street to two-way traffic from I-5 to Uptown. The first phase of the project, known as Mercer East, has been under construction since 2010 from I-5 to Ninth Avenue N and included converting Mercer Street into a two-way boulevard in South Lake Union.
Construction to extend two-way Mercer Street all the way to First Avenue N in Uptown will begin this April, widening Mercer Street to provide three lanes in each direction between Dexter Avenue N and Fifth Avenue N and converting the existing four eastbound lanes to two lanes in each direction between Fifth Avenue N and First Avenue N.
The future Mercer Street will feature additional left-turn lanes, widened sidewalks, and a bicycle path between Dexter Avenue N and Fifth Avenue N. Additionally, Roy Street will also become a two-way street with bicycle lanes between Fifth Avenue N and Queen Anne Avenue N.
SDOT has selected Atkinson Construction as the contractor for Mercer West with early construction activities anticipated to begin in April and continue through mid-2015.
Early Construction Activities Associated With Mercer West Construction
Early construction activities associated with Mercer West construction will include widening Mercer Street under the SR 99 overpass and reconstructing the SR 99 bridge. To complete this work, Mercer Street will be reduced to two eastbound lanes between 5th Avenue N and Dexter Avenue N starting in May and SR 99 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Harrison Street and Valley Street.
To help mitigate construction impacts, crews will begin making improvements in the area in late April including signal adjustments at the intersection of Fifth Avenue N and Harrison Street as well as signalizing the intersections of Dexter Avenue N and Republican Street and Broad and Harrison streets. Broad Street will also be re-opened to two-way traffic when impacts to Mercer Street begin to help ease eastbound congestion heading towards I-5.
Early warning signs and alternate route information will be available in advance. Travelers can expect significant traffic and delays when eastbound Mercer Street is reduced to two lanes during construction. Travelers should plan ahead and use alternate routes when possible.
Mercer West Pre-Construction Open House Thursday, March 21
To learn more about upcoming Mercer West construction, SDOT invites the public to join the Mercer Corridor Project Team and the Atkinson Construction representative on Thursday, March 21 at the Seattle Center for a pre-construction open house. Attendees will be able to:
Learn about upcoming construction and associated traffic impacts
- Meet the project team and contractor
- Share your comments and ask questions about upcoming construction
- Learn how you can stay informed throughout construction
The event will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Seattle Center in the Rainer Room. More information about the open house can be found online at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/mercercorridor.htm
Continued Communication throughout Construction
SDOT will continue to provide coordinated construction outreach throughout both phases of the Mercer Corridor Project, including detour maps, email updates and a 24-hour hotline contact, for construction activities throughout the Mercer Corridor.
More information will become available regarding detour routes and construction timelines for Mercer West as construction gets underway and will be available on the project website at:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/mercercorridor.htm
Contact: Richard Sheridan, 206-684-8540
