PLEASE NOTE: Starting January 14, 2019, we will retire the On the Move blog channel and all traffic advisory blogs will be posted on the SDOT blog channel. 

To manage the increased volume of traffic on our city’s streets and changing traffic patterns in advance of the SR closure beginning Friday, January 11, we’re configuring key streets and restricting parking on key streets in Seattle.

 

Overview by date:

👉 On January 9 – Roy St Closure

Roy St between SR 99 and Dexter Ave N will be closed during the day to allow crews to install temporary right-turn-only lane striping to help people traveling out of the tunnel exit and head south on Dexter Ave N. Here’s what you can expect:

• On Roy St heading eastbound between SR 99 and Dexter Ave N, the right lane will be temporarily striped as a right turn only lane.
• This will allow drivers traveling out of the tunnel to avoid backup on Republican St and instead take Roy St, the second exit, to turn right and head south on Dexter Ave N.
• This work will occur from 9 AM – 3 PM on Wednesday, January 9 in order to be completed before rainy weather is expected to occur over the weekend.
• Weather depending, this work may be pushed back, but crews will work to wrap this up quickly!

 

👉 On January 12 – Seneca St Changes

We’re converting Seneca St between 1st Ave and 3rd Ave into a one-way street headed westbound to accommodate the shift from the Seneca St off-ramp closure. Read our Seneca St lane change flyer with graphics here. Here’s what you can expect:

• Beginning at 7 AM on Saturday, January 12, our crews will convert Seneca St between 1st Ave and 3rd Ave to a one-way street headed westbound.
• This is to accommodate the shift from the Alaskan Way Viaduct Seneca St off-ramp closing, as cars will no longer need to use Seneca St headed eastbound off of the Viaduct off-ramp. This change increases our city streets’ capacity for mobility.
• This work will be completed by the end of the day.

 

👉 Starting January 14 – Parking Restrictions

Parking restrictions will begin January 14 and will be in place until the new SR 99 tunnel opens in early February 2019. Read our parking restrictions flyer with graphics here. Here’s what you can expect:

• Temporary no-parking signs will be posted beginning Friday, January 11 in order to provide 72 hours’ notice of these parking changes. Please note that only 24-hour notice is needed prior to parking enforcement so we’re posting the signs over the weekend to provide additional time for public awareness.
• On key streets downtown and in West Seattle, on-street parking restrictions will be in place Monday – Friday from January 14 until about mid-February, when the northbound off-ramp to Dearborn St opens.

Why are we making these changes?

These changes are going to make travel times more reliable and help keep people moving during this time of increased traffic. By installing temporary and permanent changes to Seattle’s streets, we will keep transit and vehicle travel reliable and improve our emergency response times as responders address incidents downtown.

 

What does this mean for you?

On-street parking options downtown during the SR 99 closure will be limited. People, businesses, schools, manufacturers, and many others rely on the timely delivery of products and goods, and we want to ensure they move as predictably and efficiently as possible.

 

If you need to drive, plan ahead and be prepared for your new route and parking locations downtown. Use the Seattle Parking Map to make a plan before you leave. Keep our Vision Zero goal in mind, follow the rules, take a deep breath and travel safely.

 

This is a great time to try a new commute! Try transit, biking, walking, carpooling or vanpools. View our Tools page at www.seattle.gov/traffic for helpful resources.

We recognize the impacts that parking restrictions can have on local businesses, and we’re here to provide support during this time. We’ll closely monitor our downtown streets to confirm traffic is moving smoothly and adjust as needed. If you have any concerns, please contact our Customer Care Center team at 684-ROAD@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-ROAD.

 

Want more info?

These are just a few of the ways we’re preparing for the three-week closure of SR 99 and the Seattle Squeeze, which will impact traffic across the region. We’re working hard to make sure we’re keeping people and goods moving safely and efficiently, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we all adjust to this new normal.

Notice of future impacts related to the closure of SR 99 and other projects impacting traffic during the Seattle Squeeze are posted to our blog at www.seattle.gov/traffic. Head to this website for the latest updates and announcements.