The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announces changes to the previously announced weekend closures of SR 99 and Mercer Street as part of the Mercer Corridor Project. Full weekend closures will only occur the following weekends in December:
- December 6 – December 9 (SR 99 and Mercer Street)
- December 13 – December 16 (SR 99 and Mercer Street)
The previously announced December 20 – December 23 weekend closure has been cancelled due to the project team devising ways to efficiently complete the necessary work on SR 99 and Mercer Street in only two weekend closures as opposed to three.
The two closures in December will provide for completion of critical Mercer Street widening and SR 99 bridge replacement work to meet an important deadline allowing for construction of the SR 99 Bored Tunnel’s North Portal in June of next year. Please note that work is weather dependent and may be cancelled and rescheduled for later dates if inclement weather occurs.
SR 99 and Mercer Street full weekend closure: Friday, December 6 through Monday, December 9
SR 99 and Mercer Street will be fully closed to traffic beginning Friday, December 13 at 11:59 p.m. to Monday, December 16 at 5:00 a.m as Mercer Corridor Project crews shift traffic from the western side of the SR 99 bridge over Mercer Street to the newly constructed eastern portion of the bridge. During the closure:
- SR 99 will be fully closed to traffic between Valley Street and the southern end of the Battery Street Tunnel. Traffic traveling through Seattle via SR 99 will be directed to I-5 in northern Seattle at 85th Street or in southern Seattle at E Marginal Way and SpokaneStreet. More information about alternate routes during construction may be found at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/mercercorridor.htm.
- Mercer Street will be fully closed to traffic between 5th Avenue N and Dexter Avenue N. Traffic heading east toward I-5 from Queen Anne will be detoured to eastbound Broad Street and will reconnect to Mercer Street at 9th Avenue N to continue towards the I-5 ramps at Mercer Street.
- The sidewalk on Mercer Street will also be closed between 5th Avenue N and Dexter Avenue N. Pedestrians will be detoured to Broad Street.
- Broad Street and the I-5 on- and off-ramps at Mercer Street will remain open during the weekend work.
SR 99 and Mercer Street full weekend closure: Friday, December 13 through Monday, December 16
SR 99 and Mercer Street will be fully closed to traffic beginning Friday, December 13 at 11:00 p.m. to Monday, December 16 at 5:00 a.m. for demolition of the western portion of the SR 99 bridge over Mercer Street. During the closure:
- SR 99 will be fully closed to traffic between Valley Street and the southern end of the Battery Street Tunnel. Traffic traveling through Seattle via SR 99 will be directed to I-5 in northern Seattle at 85th Street or in southern Seattle at E Marginal Way and Spokane Street. More information about alternate routes during construction may be found at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/mercercorridor.htm.
- Mercer Street will be fully closed to traffic between 5th Avenue N and Dexter Avenue N. Traffic heading east toward I-5 from Queen Anne will be detoured to eastbound Broad Street and will reconnect to Mercer Street at 9th Avenue N to continue towards the I-5 ramps at Mercer Street.
- The sidewalk on Mercer Street will also be closed between 5th Avenue N and Dexter Avenue N. Pedestrians will be detoured to Broad Street.
- Broad Street and the I-5 on- and off-ramps at Mercer Street will remain open during the weekend work.
Early warning signs will be available in advance of the SR 99 lane restrictions and Mercer Street detours. Travelers can expect significant traffic and delays and should plan ahead and use alternate routes.
Access to Seattle Center from I-5 on Mercer and Broad streets and from SR 99 will be open through the weekends.
Please note, additional weekend closures will continue over the course of the project, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2015. Closures are coordinated with other construction projects and special events in the area, including activities at the Seattle Center and will be announced and dates are confirmed.
Contact: Rick Sheridan, 206.684.8540
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