Community Notices

Lane Closure on Westlake Avenue North Begins Next Week
One southbound lane closed for nine months

Beginning the week of March 18, one southbound traffic lane on Westlake Avenue North between South Lake Union and the Fremont Bridge will be closed for about nine months. The lane closure is part of the West Lake Union Improvement Project that began earlier this year.

The project contractor requires the use of the northbound curb lane for drainage, paving and other construction work. The approved traffic control plan requires the contractor to maintain two northbound travel lanes during the evening peak commute hours. In order to accommodate this, the contractor will shift the two northbound lanes to the left and reduce southbound travel to one lane. This will require new lane markings along Westlake Avenue North as one lane of northbound traffic will travel in the current southbound lane. When the project is completed, two lanes will be open in each direction.

King County Metro Transit stops will not be significantly affected by the lane closure.

The $14 million project is a partnership between Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle City Light, Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Seattle Arts Commission, and Seattle Transportation. Key elements of the project include installing a 1.6 mile pathway along the abandoned rail tracks, replacing a 77 year-old drainage system, resurfacing and reconfiguration the entire parking area, paving Westlake Avenue North, improving Seattle City Lights' 26 kv power distribution system, and constructing pocket parks, landscaping and art elements. The project is scheduled for completion early in 2003.

For more information please check out our web site at www.cityofseattle.net/westlake. In addition, please continue to watch for upcoming notices regarding meetings and construction schedule.

For more information contact:

Karla Clark
Project Information Specialist
Seattle Public Utilities
(206) 615-0866
karla.clark@ci.seattle.wa.us