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NE 45th Street Viaduct Project - West Approach Replacement
Project Description
The NE 45th Street viaduct’s existing west approach is nearing the end of its structural life and needs to be replaced to maintain a safe and efficient travel corridor for vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. The viaduct was originally constructed in 1938 and portions of the existing structure are nearly 70 years old. The NE 45th Street viaduct is a major thoroughfare in Northeast Seattle. It connects I-5 and the University District to the Northeast Seattle neighborhoods, the University Village, the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and businesses along Sand Point Way NE. SDOT is closing the NE 45 th Street viaduct from June 14 – September 10, 2010 to replace the west approach. During this time, you will be required to use alternate routes. How we will keep you safe and moving during the viaduct closure
During the viaduct closure
Construction Schedule The project was advertised for competitive bids in late February 2010. SDOT selected Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC to complete the replacement of the west approach. The replacement work will require the full closure of the viaduct to all traffic, bicycles, and pedestrians from June 14 to September 10, 2010.
What you can expect during construction Work hours The construction crews will work from 7 am to 9 pm, 7 days a week from June 14 to September 10. Some nighttime work (after 9 pm until 7 am) may be done periodically in order to complete the project within the designated closure period. Noise Nearby neighbors can expect an increase in noise due to construction activities during daytime and evening hours. Types of construction noise include backup alarms, truck traffic, and heavy machinery including cranes, loaders, and haulers. SDOT will monitor noise around the work area. Traffic Impacts The viaduct will be completely closed to all traffic, bicycles, and pedestrians from June 14 – Sept. 10. Neighbors can expect increased truck traffic around the project vicinity from May through September. As a part of this project, 22nd Avenue NE will be repaved from NE 45th Street to NE 54th Street in June. Due to cost savings from lower than anticipated construction bids for the NE 45th Street Viaduct Project, SDOT was able to add this improvement to the project as a benefit to the community. SDOT coordinated the repaving of 22nd Avenue NE with the viaduct replacement to reduce costs and minimize impacts to residents. During the viaduct closure you have many options to travel around the area. SDOT is providing the following incentives to help you bike, bus and walk: Bicycle class scholarships available:
Bike, bus and walk resources:
What will the bridge look like after it is replaced? The cross section of the roadway will stay the same, with two westbound lanes, one eastbound lane and a designated pedestrian pathway. An initial traffic analysis indicated that a major widening of the viaduct was not necessary. Current and future traffic congestion is caused by nearby intersections, not the number of lanes on the existing viaduct. The west approach will be replaced with a new structure that uses a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall technology. The design consists of pre-made concrete panels used to create the solid outer walls of the structure, and backfill material between the new walls to support a new road surface.
Project Materials Open House materials – June 2010 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – May 2010 Project Fact Sheet - Spring 2010 PowerPoint Presentation – May 2010 Open House Materials– Nov. 2009
SDOT conducted an environmental review of the NE 45th Street Viaduct Project to consider impacts associated with social/economic issues, biological resources, bicycles/pedestrians, historic/cultural resources, visual quality, land use, wetlands, and noise and vibration. In February 2010, SDOT published the environmental documents for the project. It was determined that the project was unlikely to have significant adverse impacts to the environment. You can request a copy of the documents by contacting Mark Mazzola, SDOT environmental coordinator, at 206-733-9117 or mark.mazzola@seattle.gov.
We have worked closely throughout the project with local government, institutions, community groups and businesses, as well as transportation agencies and nearby neighbors, to gather information and help ease construction impacts. SDOT engaged the public early on this project to determine a preferred construction phasing option. After gathering input from the local community, SDOT decided to move forward with a full‐closure construction phasing option for the viaduct replacement to allow for a shorter construction timeline and a reduced length of time needed to detour drivers and pedestrians around the construction area. During construction we plan to continue to provide information about the project to the public and keep neighbors engaged through regular e-mail updates. To join our e-mail list, send an e-mail to NE45thBridgeRehab@Seattle.Gov. Questions or comments? The project team will consider comments and suggestions from the public during construction. Send an e-mail to: NE45thBridgeRehab@Seattle.Gov Call Bob Derry on the construction hotline: 206-330-7987 Or contact the SDOT Project Team: Michael Ward Maribel Cruz Project Funding
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The project is funded by
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