Seattle Area Traffic and Roads Thread - Page 50

Capitol Hill · December 6th, 2011, 07:31 AM

hermes bilkin plaid DO YOU THINK? hermes bilking puke green

CityView Jim · December 7th, 2011, 01:47 AM

Read an interesting article that the HOT lanes on 167 are finally in the black and (just barely) turning a profit. I was very skeptical that these were worthwhile and am now reassessing. This might be a good thing for 405 as they are developing such a plan.

CityView Jim · December 7th, 2011, 10:12 PM

It's official. Tolling on 520 starts on 12/29/2011. Uggh!

InlandEmpire · December 7th, 2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capitol Hill

hermes bilkin plaid DO YOU THINK? hermes bilking puke green

THAT made me laugh! Damn spammers.

I'm also not excited about paying an extra 7/day to get to and from work. Double ugh.

Seasun · December 8th, 2011, 01:19 AM

Quote:

I'm also not excited about paying an extra 7/day to get to and from work. Double ugh.

Sounds like you expect to be traveling at peak times and pay the $3.50 each way - I'm very interested to see if (how much) your commute is faster and more predictable and therefore less of a headache than it is today. I think $7 is a decent deal for an extra 20 minutes(?) on each end of the commute.

Vashon118 · December 8th, 2011, 06:02 AM

Alaskan Way Viaduct (11/13):

(11/25):

Mercer St (11/13):

Spokane St Viaduct (11/13):

CrazyAboutCities · December 8th, 2011, 06:43 AM

Excellent updates! I'm so glad to see part of Alaskan Viaduct is being demolished. I finally see real process on Mercer project.

CityView Jim · December 8th, 2011, 06:50 AM

Thanks for all the updates!

CityView Jim · December 8th, 2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyAboutCities

Excellent updates! I'm so glad to see part of Alaskan Viaduct is being demolished. I finally see real process on Mercer project.

Last I saw, it was all gone, demolished and hauled away. That is, all the way up to those orange columns right where the off/on ramps intersect.

CityView Jim · December 16th, 2011, 10:09 PM

Here comes the next traffic "nightmare!" In quotes as every time a nightmare is predicted the resilience of the Seattle driver proves 'em wrong.

Mercer shifts to the new lanes (only 3 instead of 4) in a couple weeks on January 9th so work can begin on the old lanes to become three eastbound lanes instead of 4. I can't imagine those taking as long as the westbound lanes took. We'll see.

Mercer Corridor Project:
I-5 on- and off-ramp closures at Mercer Street: January 6 – 9

SEATTLE—Drivers may want to plan ahead for the upcoming I-5 on- and off-ramp closures at Mercer Street, tentatively planned for the weekend of January 6-9, weather permitting. The ramps will close at 11 p.m. on Friday, January 6 and will remain closed until 5 a.m. on Monday, January 9. The closures are needed to prepare for the next stage of the Mercer East Project when traffic is switched to newly constructed lanes and work begins in the old lanes.

Traffic Switch Begins January 9;

Boren, Terry and Westlake will be Closed at Republican

Starting Monday, January 9, “Stage 2” of the Mercer East Project begins. Traffic on Mercer Street will switch to the three new lanes just to the north of the existing lanes. The new lanes will continue to provide access to the I-5 on-ramps and to Fairview Avenue N. At the same time, Boren, Terry, and Westlake avenues will be open only to local access traffic between Mercer, and Republican streets, and through traffic coming from the south will need to take an alternate route to reach Mercer Street such as Ninth Avenue or Dexter Avenue. Closure of these streets (Boren, Terry and Westlake) at Mercer is necessary in order for the contractor to complete work in the area of the old lanes on Mercer Street.

BoulderGrad · December 16th, 2011, 10:38 PM

Meh, they've been doing Mercer off ramp closures for a while now. Folks should be used to it by now.

CityView Jim · December 16th, 2011, 11:18 PM

But it's a loss of a lane on Mercer from Dexter to I-5 plus the closing of Westlake, Terry, and Boren (at Republican) to get on Mercer. Those from downtown will only be able to get on I-5 (Mercer ramps) at Dexter, 9th or Fairview. It'll be a mess for a week or so until everyone figures it out.

CityView Jim · December 16th, 2011, 11:57 PM

This explains better than me:

http://www.seattle.gov/Transportatio...ice_121611.pdf

Seasun · December 20th, 2011, 01:53 AM

9th Ave has been converted to a 2-way street for the one block adjacent to the Whole Foods garage entrance/exit. New lane and new traffic light at Westlake and 9th is not yet functional.

CityView Jim · December 24th, 2011, 03:25 AM

Milestone on the Spokane St. Viaduct. Westbound traffic is now travelling on the new expansion. They've shifted traffic over there while they clean up to the middle lanes. Still a traget for completion of next summer.

http://onthemove.seattle.gov/2011/12...ening-project/

jam5 · December 24th, 2011, 04:59 AM

What's happening on the 520 project? I know that the Eastside portion is currently under construction, and that the reconstruction of the pontoon bridge over Lake Washington is set to start soon (I don't exactly know when).

However, I am a little hazy about the Montlake portion west of the bridge. Did WSDOT manage to close the funding gap for it yet so they can get started on it?

CityView Jim · December 24th, 2011, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jam5

What's happening on the 520 project? I know that the Eastside portion is currently under construction, and that the reconstruction of the pontoon bridge over Lake Washington is set to start soon (I don't exactly know when).

However, I am a little hazy about the Montlake portion west of the bridge. Did WSDOT manage to close the funding gap for it yet so they can get started on it?

Afraid not. At this point, work is under way from Evergreen Pt to 405 to widen to 6 lanes with median bus stops. Floating bridge elements are under construction to take from Evergreen Pt to Montlake. From Montlake to I-5 is unfunded and not planned at this point.

Vashon118 · December 27th, 2011, 05:34 AM

Alaskan Way Viaduct (12/17):

Mercer St (12/16):

Spokane St. Viaduct (12/17):

CityView Jim · December 27th, 2011, 04:11 PM

Thorough as always, and just as much appreciated!!

Thanks, Vashon for all updates.

Seasun · December 29th, 2011, 06:32 AM

In case you're trying to buy a Good-to-Go pass: I just stopped by the U-Village Safeway to buy one but they've been sold out for about 10 days according to the clerk I spoke to. She said all the QFCs and Safeways that are listed as carrying the passes are also sold-out. Oh well - I don't really need one anyway. I don't cross the bridge very often so I'll try again a different day.

December 6th, 2011, 07:31 AM	#981
Capitol Hill Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,385 Likes (Received): 156	hermes bilkin plaid DO YOU THINK? hermes bilking puke green __________________ After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF

December 16th, 2011, 10:38 PM	#991
BoulderGrad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,357 Likes (Received): 39	Meh, they've been doing Mercer off ramp closures for a while now. Folks should be used to it by now. __________________ My shrink once said to me: "Maybe life isn't for everyone..."

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December 7th, 2011, 01:47 AM	#982
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,954 Likes (Received): 62	Read an interesting article that the HOT lanes on 167 are finally in the black and (just barely) turning a profit. I was very skeptical that these were worthwhile and am now reassessing. This might be a good thing for 405 as they are developing such a plan.

December 7th, 2011, 10:12 PM	#983
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,954 Likes (Received): 62	It's official. Tolling on 520 starts on 12/29/2011. Uggh!

December 8th, 2011, 06:02 AM	#986
Vashon118 Bus & ferry dude Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vashon Island Posts: 707 Likes (Received): 104	Alaskan Way Viaduct (11/13): (11/25): Mercer St (11/13): Spokane St Viaduct (11/13):

December 8th, 2011, 06:43 AM	#987
CrazyAboutCities Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 8,328 Likes (Received): 15	Excellent updates! I'm so glad to see part of Alaskan Viaduct is being demolished. I finally see real process on Mercer project.

December 8th, 2011, 06:50 AM	#988
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,954 Likes (Received): 62	Thanks for all the updates!

December 16th, 2011, 10:09 PM	#990
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,954 Likes (Received): 62	Here comes the next traffic "nightmare!" In quotes as every time a nightmare is predicted the resilience of the Seattle driver proves 'em wrong. Mercer shifts to the new lanes (only 3 instead of 4) in a couple weeks on January 9th so work can begin on the old lanes to become three eastbound lanes instead of 4. I can't imagine those taking as long as the westbound lanes took. We'll see. Mercer Corridor Project: I-5 on- and off-ramp closures at Mercer Street: January 6 – 9 SEATTLE—Drivers may want to plan ahead for the upcoming I-5 on- and off-ramp closures at Mercer Street, tentatively planned for the weekend of January 6-9, weather permitting. The ramps will close at 11 p.m. on Friday, January 6 and will remain closed until 5 a.m. on Monday, January 9. The closures are needed to prepare for the next stage of the Mercer East Project when traffic is switched to newly constructed lanes and work begins in the old lanes. Traffic Switch Begins January 9; Boren, Terry and Westlake will be Closed at Republican Starting Monday, January 9, “Stage 2” of the Mercer East Project begins. Traffic on Mercer Street will switch to the three new lanes just to the north of the existing lanes. The new lanes will continue to provide access to the I-5 on-ramps and to Fairview Avenue N. At the same time, Boren, Terry, and Westlake avenues will be open only to local access traffic between Mercer, and Republican streets, and through traffic coming from the south will need to take an alternate route to reach Mercer Street such as Ninth Avenue or Dexter Avenue. Closure of these streets (Boren, Terry and Westlake) at Mercer is necessary in order for the contractor to complete work in the area of the old lanes on Mercer Street.

December 16th, 2011, 11:18 PM	#992
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,954 Likes (Received): 62	But it's a loss of a lane on Mercer from Dexter to I-5 plus the closing of Westlake, Terry, and Boren (at Republican) to get on Mercer. Those from downtown will only be able to get on I-5 (Mercer ramps) at Dexter, 9th or Fairview. It'll be a mess for a week or so until everyone figures it out.

December 16th, 2011, 11:57 PM	#993
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,954 Likes (Received): 62	This explains better than me: http://www.seattle.gov/Transportatio...ice_121611.pdf

December 20th, 2011, 01:53 AM	#994
Seasun Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,556 Likes (Received): 42	9th Ave has been converted to a 2-way street for the one block adjacent to the Whole Foods garage entrance/exit. New lane and new traffic light at Westlake and 9th is not yet functional.

December 24th, 2011, 03:25 AM	#995
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,954 Likes (Received): 62	Milestone on the Spokane St. Viaduct. Westbound traffic is now travelling on the new expansion. They've shifted traffic over there while they clean up to the middle lanes. Still a traget for completion of next summer. http://onthemove.seattle.gov/2011/12...ening-project/

December 24th, 2011, 04:59 AM	#996
jam5 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 472 Likes (Received): 3	What's happening on the 520 project? I know that the Eastside portion is currently under construction, and that the reconstruction of the pontoon bridge over Lake Washington is set to start soon (I don't exactly know when). However, I am a little hazy about the Montlake portion west of the bridge. Did WSDOT manage to close the funding gap for it yet so they can get started on it?

December 27th, 2011, 05:34 AM	#998
Vashon118 Bus & ferry dude Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vashon Island Posts: 707 Likes (Received): 104	Alaskan Way Viaduct (12/17): Mercer St (12/16): Spokane St. Viaduct (12/17):

December 27th, 2011, 04:11 PM	#999
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,954 Likes (Received): 62	Thorough as always, and just as much appreciated!! Thanks, Vashon for all updates.

December 29th, 2011, 06:32 AM	#1000
Seasun Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,556 Likes (Received): 42	In case you're trying to buy a Good-to-Go pass: I just stopped by the U-Village Safeway to buy one but they've been sold out for about 10 days according to the clerk I spoke to. She said all the QFCs and Safeways that are listed as carrying the passes are also sold-out. Oh well - I don't really need one anyway. I don't cross the bridge very often so I'll try again a different day.