July 14, 2009

Old “Weave” over, done with, fini

Traffic on lower westbound Spokane was restored to its normal lanes between 6th and 4th Avenues last month, eliminating the “weave” that allowed westbound traffic to continue to flow using the (otherwise closed) eastbound lanes. With westbound traffic returned to the westbound lanes, the eastbound lanes between 4 th and 6 th are now being completely rebuilt with new storm drains, curbs, sidewalk and concrete street surface.

This newly rebuilt section of lower Spokane will be reopened in August to eastbound bus traffic from the E-3 Busway and to pedestrians, but other vehicles will need to keep using the current detour longer than expected due to a safety issue. The scaffolding that is needed to build the new exit ramp where it passes over 4th Avenue will be in such close proximity to vehicles turning right from northbound 4th Avenue onto eastbound Spokane that concerns for worker safety will take precedence over driver convenience until January.

In the meantime, a signed detour route along Industrial Way between 4th and 6th Avenues provides a ready alternative for drivers needing to get to eastbound Spokane from 4th Avenue.

New “weave” begins

Another “weave” of westbound traffic on lower Spokane will be used for night time traffic this week – between 7PM and 5AM on the block between 2nd Avenue (just after the RR crossing) and 1st Avenue.

Eastbound Spokane between East Marginal Way and First

The current closure of eastbound lower Spokane to through traffic will soon be extended to include the stretch between East Marginal Way and 1st Avenue. Local access will be maintained for businesses in this area, but a detour route will be established using East Marginal Way to Hanford to First Avenue on the north. (An alternative route using East Marginal Way and Dawson or Lucile is also available for those headed south.)

This closure is needed to allow installation of a new under-street water main and storm drains and for completely rebuilding the street in this section, similar to the work now being finished near Sixth Avenue. The detour may go into effect as soon as next week and is expected to continue through October.

Please note that eastbound traffic using the First Avenue exit from the Spokane Street Viaduct will NOT be affected by this closure.

Widening bids in (& low)

On June 24, five bids from contractors interested in the contract for widening the upper viaduct were opened. Three of the bids were under $62M, lower than the estimated range of $68M to $80M. Review of the bids is underway, and a contract is expected to be awarded in time for work to begin in September.

For More Information

If you have questions on the Spokane Street Widening or Fourth Avenue Ramp Project, please contact Art Brochet at 206-240-1106 or art@spokaneproject.info. You may also find additional information on the project website, at www.seattle.gov/spokane , including diagrams of current and future structures, new on- and off-ramp configurations, archives of all project bulletins, and timelines of construction activities and impacts.

June 19, 2009

Westbound Detour Near 6th Ends Next Week

Construction of the water quality vault at 6 th and Spokane (as well as restoration of the surface above) is now complete and the westbound traffic detours in this area will be eliminated as soon as weather permits striping of the new pavement.

Spokane Street will be reopened from Airport Way South to 6th Avenue South and westbound traffic between 6th and 4th Avenues will return to its normal route, eliminating the jog around the vault construction area. The left turn currently allowed from Spokane onto 6th Avenue S will continue to be allowed until eastbound Spokane is reopened between the E-3 Busway and 6th Avenue, planned for late July.

Why No Left Turn at 4 th Avenue South?

A common question is why a left turn is not allowed from westbound Spokane onto 4 th Avenue S during this period when eastbound Spokane is closed. Unfortunately trucks making this turn can come too close to the existing Spokane Viaduct support columns for safety. And though the risk is small, the consequences of any damage to this structure are significant enough to warrant erring on the side of caution and continuing to prohibit this turn. As a side note, please be aware that the Seattle Police Department has been actively enforcing this (and other traffic restrictions) in the area lately.

Eastbound Spokane between East Marginal Way and 1 st Avenue S

Reconstruction of a portion of the roadway between East Marginal Way and 1st Avenue South will begin in late July. This work will include upgrading of the storm drain system, installation and hookup of a new water main, and new roadway, curbs and sidewalks. Construction will require closure of eastbound Spokane Street between East Marginal Way and 1st Avenue S, with local access only for approximately three-months.

Spokane Street Viaduct Widening

Bids are due from interested contractors on the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening portion of the project by June 24. Work on the widening should start this fall after bids are evaluated and a contract is awarded.

Westbound Spokane Night-time Lane Restrictions 2nd to 1st Avenues S

Crews will occasionally need to close the curbside lane of westbound Spokane Street for some work on the electrical duct banks below the street. This work will be done at night and should only require temporary lane restrictions over the next few weeks.

June 2, 2009

4th Avenue Off-Ramp Construction Progress

Work on the 4th Avenue Ramp is going well. The last of 22 underground shafts and columns for the off-ramp was completed last week, more than a month ahead of schedule. Crews will now shift to the replacement of storm drains, curbs, sidewalks and new concrete paving on lower Spokane eastbound, and to the superstructure that will support the ramp roadway.

In addition, work on the water quality vault just west of the intersection of 6th Avenue S and S Spokane is expected to finish up during the week of June 8.

Upcoming Traffic Impacts

This week, June 1 through 4, crews will be working between First Avenue S and East Marginal Way along westbound Spokane, doing subsurface investigations. On Monday and Tuesday (June 1 & 2) the right lane on westbound Spokane will be closed beyond the First Avenue on-ramp as far as East Marginal Way, leaving one travel lane open. On Wednesday and Thursday nights (June 3 & 4) there will be a full closure of westbound Spokane between First and Colorado from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Access to the westbound on-ramp to the Spokane Viaduct at First Avenue will be maintained.

During the full closure Wednesday and Thursday nights, all vehicles turning onto westbound Spokane from First Avenue will be directed onto the on-ramp. Vehicles wanting to access East Marginal Way or Harbor Island from First Avenue can use Hanford.

In mid-June QWEST will start relocating lines in the eastbound Spokane roadway between East Marginal Way and First Avenue. Access will be maintained throughout and traffic impacts are expected to be minor.

Starting mid-July, eastbound Spokane will be closed to through traffic between East Marginal Way and First Avenue, for approximately 12 weeks. Local access will be maintained. More information on schedule and impacts will be available in the coming weeks.

May 20, 2009

4th Avenue Off-Ramp Shaft Construction Finishes Ahead of Schedule

Construction of the 22 underground shafts for the new eastbound off-ramp at 4th Avenue began in mid-February and finished last week. The contractor will finish erecting the columns that sit on top of the shafts this week, more than a full month ahead of schedule.

Over the next several months crews will install water quality detention vaults, build the earthen base where the ramp approaches grade level and rebuild eastbound Spokane Street (the lower roadway) in sections. Work on the rest of the superstructure that will support the ramp’s roadway will follow later this summer.

Widening the Spokane Street Viaduct (Upper Roadway)

Plans and specifications for the widening work were advertised for construction last week and bids will be opened the last week of June. Mobilization for construction is planned for September of this year, with demolition of the existing west-bound off-ramp (at 4th Avenue) likely to follow soon after.

Traffic Control Status

There is presently a temporary closure of westbound South Spokane Street between Airport Way South and 6th Avenue South which remain in place until early July. This closure does not affect vehicles approaching South Spokane Street from northbound I-5 (via exit 163) or from Beacon Hill (via S Columbian Way).

The closure of eastbound Spokane at 1st Avenue South (established last September) remains in effect and will not be removed until the new 4th Avenue Off-ramp is completed and opened to traffic late in 2010. However, Metro bus traffic is scheduled to return to eastbound Spokane between the E-3 Busway and 6th Avenue South the end of July.

In addition, South Spokane Street between East Marginal Way and 1st Avenue South is scheduled to close to eastbound traffic for approximately 3 months beginning mid-June to enable this roadway to be rebuilt.

May 13, 2009

Traffic Control Changes

There is currently a temporary closure between Airport Way South and 6th Avenue South on South Spokane Street. It is needed to allow placement of a water quality vault underneath the Spokane Street Viaduct just west of Sixth Avenue South, and will be in place for approximately 8 weeks.

This closure of westbound traffic between Airport Way South and Sixth Avenue South will not affect vehicles approaching South Spokane Street from northbound I-5 (via exit 163) or from Beacon Hill (via S Columbian Way).

Westbound traffic on Spokane Street will, however, take a slight jog to the left as they proceed through the intersection. Westbound traffic will also have the option of turning left to proceed south on Sixth Avenue South.

This left-hand turn onto Sixth is possible because there is at present no eastbound traffic on Spokane at this intersection. Until Metro bus traffic returns to eastbound Spokane between the E-3 Busway and 6th Avenue South – now planned for near the end of July – this left-hand turn onto Sixth Avenue will be allowed.

South Spokane Street between First and Fourth Avenues will remain closed to eastbound traffic nearly until the new 4th Avenue Off-ramp to is opened late in 2010.

4th Avenue Off-Ramp Construction Progress

Shaft construction has been proceeding rapidly, with the last of these massive underground structures west of Fourth Avenue now finished and just those in the City Light Parking lot left to drill and pour. Construction of the columns on top of these shafts is also going well, with work on the superstructure that will support the roadway to follow this summer.

South Spokane Viaduct Widening Progress

Plans and specifications for the widening work will be advertised for construction the week of May 11, with bids due late in June. Mobilization for construction is planned for September of this year, with demolition of the existing 4th Avenue (west-bound) off-ramp likely to follow soon after.

In the meantime, subsurface investigation continues on the north side of the existing viaduct for location of underground utilities. This work will occasionally require the closure of traffic lanes on westbound Spokane Street for short periods.

May 8, 2009

Traffic Advisory

Beginning this coming Monday, May 11th, traffic on Airport Way South will be prevented from turning west onto South Spokane Street for approximately 8 weeks. This traffic revision is needed to allow placement of a water quality vault underneath the Spokane Street Viaduct just west of Sixth Avenue South.

This closure of westbound traffic between Airport Way South and Sixth Avenue South will not affect vehicles approaching South Spokane Street from northbound I-5 (via exit 163) or from Beacon Hill (via S Columbian Way). Westbound traffic on Spokane Street will, however, take a slight jog to the left as they proceed through the intersection. Westbound traffic will also have the option of turning left to proceed south on Sixth Avenue South.

South Spokane Street remains closed to eastbound traffic between First and Sixth Avenues, with a detour route north on First Avenue to Lander Street. (Local access is being maintained for businesses between First and Second Avenues on eastbound Spokane.)

Friday, April 17, 2009

Construction is currently underway between 2nd and 4th Avenues South for the shafts that will support the new 4th Avenue eastbound off-ramp. Each of the 22 shafts involves drilling a 60 to 100 foot deep hole (between 5 and 10 feet in diameter), inserting a large tubular “cage” of rebar and then filling the reinforced excavation with concrete.

Until now drilling and filling these shafts has taken place during the day, but some of the remaining shafts will be built at night. Over the next few months crews will be building columns for the new off-ramp on top of each of the underground shafts.

Upcoming Westbound Detour

Work will also begin in a few weeks on installation of a water detention vault underneath Spokane Street just to the west of 6 th Avenue South. Construction of this vault will require a temporary detour of most westbound South Spokane Street traffic between 6th and 4th Avenues South for approximately 6 weeks.

A special route through the construction zone will allow Metro buses to reach the E-3 Busway and will provide west-bound access to emergency service vehicles. In addition, a single lane of westbound Spokane Street traffic general traffic will be allowed during non-construction hours (at night and on weekends), but only for traffic turning onto Spokane from southbound 6th Avenue South. More information about the detour will be provided as soon as it is available.

March 27, 2009

4th Avenue South Eastbound Off Ramp Project

The utility relocation that has been occurring on Spokane Street since September 2008 — including replacing a water main segment — is now substantially complete and work on the new eastbound off-ramp at 4 th has begun. Crews will be drilling shafts 60 to 100 feet deep over the next few months to support the new structure. They will begin just east of the railroad tracks at 2 nd and will move eastward.

Spokane Viaduct Widening

The 100% design submittal from the engineering consultant on the widening phase of the project has been submitted and the bid documents will be advertised in May. Construction on the widening is expected to begin in third quarter of 2009.

Eastbound Spokane Street traffic and impacts

• Through traffic on eastbound lower Spokane is currently open from East Marginal Way to 1 st, closed between 1 st and 6 th, and open east of 6 th.
• Due to the current closure between 4 th and 6 th, bus routes normally turning east onto Spokane Street from the E-3 Busway are now using 6 th southbound to reach Spokane, starting at Lander. These transit routes will return to the Busway when eastbound Spokane is reopened between 4 th and 6 th in late June 2009.
• Eastbound Spokane between SR 99 and 1 st is scheduled to close to through traffic from July to October 2009.

Important Traffic Advisory

Drivers heading westbound on the lower roadway should avoid turning left under the Spokane Street Viaduct between 2 nd and 6 th except at defined intersections (1st or 6 th). The area under the Spokane viaduct is once again an active construction site and entering this area presents a significant danger to personnel and likely interference with heavy equipment. Non-construction vehicles in this area are at risk of receiving a moving violation in a work zone, which can result in double penalties.

Detour

A portion of the detour route around the lower eastbound Spokane closure is itself under construction — 1 st Avenue South between Stacy and Horton. During weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. traffic is restricted to one southbound and two northbound lanes of traffic. Evenings and weekends there is just one lane in either direction. Construction started in mid-February with completion scheduled for early September 2009. For more information go to the First Avenue Rebuild project website at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/first_s_rebuild.htm

March 27, 2009

The South Spokane Street Viaduct Project is now under way with completion scheduled for December 2011. The Seattle Department of Transportation's $168M project extends from State Route 99 to 6th Avenue South [6th] along South Spokane Street. A new off-ramp from the South Spokane Street Viaduct will be installed for eastbound traffic heading to 4th Avenue South [4th], and the Viaduct itself will be widened by 41 feet to the north, including an all-new on- and off-ramp at 1st Avenue South [1st] for westbound traffic. In addition, the lower roadway [Spokane] will be completely rebuilt in concrete with curbs, sidewalks and better pedestrian and bicycle access.

This list serve will be used to keep you up-to-date on construction progress, emphasizing current progress and upcoming impacts.

4th Avenue South Eastbound Off Ramp Project

The utility relocation that has been occurring on Spokane Street since September 2008 Ñ including replacing a water main segment Ñ is now substantially complete and work on the new eastbound off-ramp at 4th has begun. Crews will be drilling shafts 60 to 100 feet deep over the next few months to support the new structure. They will begin just east of the railroad tracks at 2nd and will move eastward.

Spokane Viaduct Widening

The 100% design submittal from the engineering consultant on the widening phase of the project has been submitted and the bid documents will be advertised in May. Construction on the widening is expected to begin in third quarter of 2009.

Eastbound Spokane Street traffic and impacts

1. Through traffic on eastbound lower Spokane is currently open from East Marginal Way to 1st, closed between 1st and 6th, and open east of 6th.

2. Due to the current closure between 4th and 6th, bus routes normally turning east onto Spokane Street from the E-3 Busway are now using 6th southbound to reach Spokane, starting at Lander. These transit routes will return to the Busway when eastbound Spokane is reopened between 4th and 6th in late June 2009.

3. Eastbound Spokane between SR 99 and 1st is scheduled to close to through traffic from July to October 2009.

Important Traffic Advisory

Drivers heading westbound on the lower roadway should avoid turning left under the Spokane Street Viaduct between 2nd and 6th except at defined intersections (1st or 6th). The area under the Spokane viaduct is once again an active construction site and entering this area presents a significant danger to personnel and likely interference with heavy equipment. Non-construction vehicles in this area are at risk of receiving a moving violation in a work zone, which can result in double penalties.

Detour

A portion of the detour route around the lower eastbound Spokane closure is itself under construction Ñ 1st Avenue South between Stacy and Horton. During weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. traffic is restricted to one southbound and two northbound lanes of traffic. Evenings and weekends there is just one lane in either direction. Construction started in mid-February with completion scheduled for early September 2009. For more information go to the First Avenue Rebuild project website at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/first_s_rebuild.htm

Other

More information on the South Spokane Street Project is available at the project website, http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/spokanestreet.htm.

Other websites of interest include the SODO-related construction and traffic camera links at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/sodo_construction.htm, and commuting program information at http://www.seattle.gov/waytogo/wtg_sodo.htm

The recorded project hotline, at 206-684-4747, offers up-to-date information on the detour and construction status, and accepts your comments and concerns. It can also put you in touch directly with construction personnel if you are experiencing blocked driveways or other emergency impacts.

For more information or to express concerns or interests, call Art Brochet at 206-240-1106.