01 Aug South Access – Surface Street Connections project

The South Access – Surface Street Connections project is getting underway this month in the area around the south portal of the SR 99 Tunnel. This is the final project of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program. Construction is scheduled to conclude by the end of 2022.

Project scope

This project completes final roadway work around the south portal of the SR 99 Tunnel, and builds new pedestrian and bicycle amenities that connect Seattle’s stadiums with the waterfront. The work includes paving South Dearborn Street and a stretch of First Avenue South, and turning Railroad Way South into a pedestrian plaza that links Seattle’s stadiums with the central waterfront. Much of this work could not be completed previously due to SR 99 Tunnel and Alaskan Way Viaduct Demolition work.

3-week closure of South Dearborn Street begins August 2

The project’s first significant work element is drainage, sewer and paving work on South Dearborn Street. The street will be closed August 2 – 25 for this work. We recognize there is no convenient time to close a significant street. Performing this closure now allows our contractor, Scarsella Brothers, to complete all work on South Dearborn Street in one intense push, so the street can remain open for the remainder of the project.
Vehicles and pedestrians will be detoured one block, to South King Street. A uniformed police officer will help direct traffic at the First Avenue South and South King Street intersection during peak hours.

August 11 night work shifts lanes on First Avenue South

The night of August 11, crews will restripe First Avenue South between South Royal Brougham Way and South Dearborn Street, shifting travel lanes to the east. This will create space for a work zone on the road’s western edge.
This project will pave First Avenue South and build a new west-side sidewalk between South Royal Brougham Way and South Dearborn Street. The work will be performed in stages, with the first stage working on the west side of First Avenue South.
This lane shift, expected to be in place through the end of September, will temporarily repurpose a single parking space into a loading zone on the east side of First Avenue South between South Royal Brougham Way and South Dearborn Street. There will be no other parking changes.
All four lanes of traffic will be maintained on First Avenue, except for August 17, 19 and 23. On these dates a single southbound lane will be closed intermittently, mid-day, outside of peak traffic times.

What to expect from construction

WSDOT’s contractor, Scarsella Brothers, will use the former WOSCA lot (west of First Avenue South, south of South Dearborn Street) for construction staging and crew parking. Standard work hours will be weekdays, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. There is currently very little night work planned for the project, which is expected to finish construction in late 2022.

Staying in touch

In addition to updating the project website, we will provide regular updates about construction progress via this email. If you do not wish to receive these emails, please just reply and ask to unsubscribe. If you were forwarded this email and would like to be added, please email us at viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov and we will add you to the email list.
You can always reach us with any questions at viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov.