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On The Move

Advisories from the Seattle Department of Transportation

Mercer Corridor Project: SR 99 Now Open Following Weekend Closure

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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announces the early opening of SR 99 to traffic as part of the West Phase of the Mercer Corridor project.

The early opening of SR 99 and Mercer Street was possible due to crews efficiently completing traffic shifts on SR 99 in preparation for demolishing the east half of the SR 99 bridge over Mercer Street and widening Mercer Street between 5th Avenue N and Dexter Avenue N.

The new configuration of SR 99 and Mercer Street is now in effect and travelers can expect the following changes to the corridor:

  • Mercer Street reduced to two eastbound lanes between 4th Avenue N and 9th Avenue N.
  • Local access maintained at Taylor Avenue N.
  • The sidewalk on the north side of Mercer Street is closed between 5th Avenue N and Dexter Avenue N. The sidewalk on the south side of Mercer Street will remain open.
  • Broad Street open to two-way traffic.
  • SR 99 traffic shifted to the west side of the roadway between Valley and Harrison streets. Two lanes of SR 99 in each direction will remain open.
  • The northbound SR 99 off-ramp to Mercer Street is permanently closed. A new signalized intersection at Republican Street and Dexter Avenue N is available for northbound SR 99 traffic to reach South Lake Union. 

Lane reductions on Mercer Street will continue throughout the West Phase of the Mercer Corridor Project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid-2015. Construction of this $95 million project will take approximately 2.5 years.

When completed, the West Phase of the Mercer Corridor Project will provide a direct connection from I-5 and the new SR 99 Tunnel to Uptown, the Seattle Center, and neighborhoods to the west. In addition to widening Mercer Street for two-way traffic, the project includes improved pedestrian connections, a bike path between Dexter and Fifth avenues North, replacement of the SR 99 bridge over Mercer Street, and signal and channelization modifications to make Mercer and Roy streets two-way through the Uptown area.

Detour information available for Mercer Street lane restrictions

A detour map illustrating Mercer Street lane restrictions is available online for vehicles at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/mercercorridor.htm.