|
Week of Jul. 9, 2007
Metro prepping to keep things moving during August I-5 closure
Northbound I-5 will be severely congested during the August closure. | It's not too soon to think about how you’ll get around during August’s three-week closure of a busy section of Interstate 5. King County Metro Transit has been planning for more than six months on how it will move buses and people through the affected area – now it’s your turn to find your best options for travel.Starting Friday, Aug. 10, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will carry out 19 continuous days of intense construction on northbound I-5 between Spokane Street and Interstate 90. For most of the time, there will only be two or three lanes open in the northbound direction. Crews will close an additional lane nightly between midnight and 4:30 a.m. During the closure, crews will replace the expansion joints on northbound I-5 between Spokane Street and I-90, and resurface the northbound lanes. The crews will also periodically close ramps in the project area, including the on-ramp from Spokane Street and the exit to I-90. Traffic congestion resulting from the August closure is expected to be considerable, particularly for those who commute into Seattle from communities to the south such as Des Moines, Auburn, Federal Way and Tacoma. As drivers try to find alternate ways north, other highways and surface streets will likely also become crowded. WSDOT is estimating that during the first half of the 19 days it will close two of five lanes, cutting freeway capacity by 40 percent. In the second half, three of five lanes will close, shrinking capacity by 60 percent. The agency is urging people who usually drive alone to find another way to travel during the closure.
One of the bridge's expansion joints as seen from below. (courtesy WSDOT) | Metro and other transit agencies are planning both for the closure, and to accommodate more riders who will be looking to leave their cars at home. Also, no Metro routes will be traveling northbound on that stretch of I-5 during the closure. So, bus passengers should be aware that about two dozen Metro bus routes – and several from Sound Transit – will be detoured to surface streets to travel north into Seattle, Capitol Hill, and the University District.Generally, those buses will be rerouted from I-5 near Boeing Field to Airport Way South and East Marginal Way/Airport Way South. They will not be making extra stops, and will express as much as possible through the detour area. But since widespread traffic congestion is anticipated, bus riders should expect delays on any northbound trip. To plan now for the August closure of I-5: • Visit WSDOT’s project website for information about the construction project.
• Visit Metro Online's Travel Options page to find out about all the transit service and commuting options in your area.
• Visit Metro's online Trip Planner. The Trip Planner itineraries will not reflect service disruptions due to construction, but you can get a good idea of your basic trip options, then check Metro Online for revisions (see next item).
• Visit Metro Online's Service Exceptions page and look for routes affected by the I-5 project. Most will experience routing revisions and possible delays, but not many missed stops.
• Visit RideshareOnline.com to find a vanpool, vanshare or carpool that best suits your needs. Ridesharing could be a great long-term solution, as well.
The city of Seattle is finishing up work on the Fremont Bridge, and the ongoing construction is causing reroutes for some Metro Transit service. The city is expected to close the bridge at night Monday through Thursday, July 9-12, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. During the closures, Metro routes 26 and 28 will be rerouted. For more information about bus service during the bridge closures, visit Metro Online.
After this week’s All-Star break, the smokin’ hot Seattle Mariners return home for a rare Seattle heat wave and seven games starting Thursday, July 12. Metro will be there with a variety of service to and from Safeco Field. For regular service to the game, Metro’s convenient online Trip Planner allows you to easily research which routes provide the best connection from your home or office to the ballpark. A premium service between the ballpark and several outlying park-and-ride lots operates after weeknight games and both before and after weekend games. It is not available for weekday games that begin before 5 p.m. The fare for special buses is $3 each way. Detailed information for all Mariners service is available on the Metro Online website. Or, call (206) 553-3000 (voice) or (206) 684-1739 (TTY).
|
|
Metro will be offering up special service for two Seafair events this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15. For the Vashon Strawberry Festival, there will be a Metro bus leaving the Vashon ferry terminal approximately once an hour starting at 9:10 a.m. and dropping off riders at Ober Park. There is a $1 charge for the shuttle each way. Children under 10 are free. The last shuttle leaving Ober Park will be at 3:45 p.m. to connect with the ferry back to Fauntleroy. The buses will wait for incoming boats rather than leave at strictly scheduled times. The regular Saturday schedule for Route 118 will also be in effect and follow a reroute around the festival activities in town. Reminder, there is no Route 118 service on Sunday, and there is no shuttle service from the Tahlequah ferry terminal. On Saturday in Kent, Metro is offering free shuttle service to and from the Lake Meridian Dragon Boat Races venue before and after the event. The shuttle serves Lake Meridian Park-and-Ride, Horizon Elementary School, the fire station at 15635 SE 272nd St., Kentwood High School, and Lake Meridian Park. For more information about these special shuttles, visit Metro Online.
The King County Road Services Division will close the South Park Bridge over the Duwamish River Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. During the closure, crews will be performing work at the center of the draw span to restore proper alignment, plus repairing rail posts and electrical conduits. While the bridge is closed, there will be no vehicle or pedestrian access on14th/16th Avenue South. The bridge will open one leaf for boat traffic with a four-hour advance notice. Motorists can detour via the First Avenue South Bridge. | Subscribe to DOT DashSign-up to receive an e-mail text version of "Transportation Today," along with other significant DOT news by sending an e-mail to us with subscribe King County DOT Dash in the subject line.
|
