The State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct reopened at 12:44 p.m. Saturday – nearly two days early – following an intense week of demolition and construction, according to the Washington state Department of Transportation.
A new slower 40 mph speed limit is in effect on much of the viaduct, and a construction speed limit of 25 mph is posted on a new curving bypass near the sports stadiums.
Drivers should prepare for delays of up to 10 minutes during peak travel times as traffic navigates the new bypass. The bypass will be in place through the end of 2015 when a new SR 99 tunnel opens to traffic.
Sports fans heading to the stadiums for events this weekend should plan ahead. The southbound SR 99 off-ramp to SODO on South Royal Brougham Way remains closed as crews wrap up the last pieces of demolition and construction. On Monday, southbound drivers instead will begin exiting at South Atlantic Street.
SR 99 construction bypass details
· A slower, 40 mph speed limit is in effect on much of the viaduct between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge.
· A 25 mph recommended construction zone speed limit is posted through the curving bypass in the SODO area. A map shows the construction bypass and where they connect to city streets. A video shows what driving the bypass looks like.
· Metro Transit’s 11 bus routes that travel on SR 99 will begin using the new bypass at the start of service on Sunday morning, Oct. 30.
Weekend events
Drivers should plan ahead for many special events in the downtown Seattle area this weekend – including home football games for both the University of Washington and Seattle Seahawks. The Seattle Department of Transportation encourages motorists to consider trying one of the many alternate modes of transportation available – Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, carpooling, bicycling or walking.
The recent demolition and construction was part of the $114.6 million contract WSDOT awarded to Skanska USA Civil for the SR 99 Holgate to King Project to rebuild the south end of SR 99 as it leads up to the future tunnel portal. The overall Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement is $3.1 billion and includes a $1.35 billion contract to Seattle Tunnel Partners to build a new SR 99 tunnel.
