The Alaskan Way Viaduct will close this weekend between the West Seattle Bridge and the Battery Street Tunnel. Drivers heading to Saturday’s Sounders FC match at Qwest Field should plan for delays and use alternate routes.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close both directions of the viaduct at 5 a.m. on Saturday, June 11. During the closure, crews will remove and temporarily replace two of the structure’s support columns to make room for construction of the new State Route 99 southbound roadway through SODO. WSDOT also will test the automated viaduct closure system.

Skanska, WSDOT’s contractor, is on track to complete the southbound lanes of the new elevated SR 99 roadway and demolish the southern mile of the existing viaduct by October. This weekend’s closure gives crews space to finish building the bridge deck of the southbound elevated roadway.

The two concrete support columns are located between S. Atlantic and S. Holgate streets (where the double-deck structure descends to ground level). Temporary foundations and support systems to brace the viaduct will be installed before the bridge columns are removed. The temporary support systems will be in place until SR 99 traffic through SODO is shifted onto the new southbound roadway in October. Skanska will build the northbound SR 99 lanes in the footprint of the viaduct after it is demolished.

The flashing beacons announcing the viaduct is closed could activate intermittently during testing of the automated viaduct closure system on Saturday morning. It is important to note that whether these flashing beacons are on or off, the viaduct is closed.

Weekend closure details:

· 5 a.m. Saturday, June 11: All SR 99 lanes between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel will close.

· 10 a.m. Saturday, June 11: Northbound SR 99 between S. Royal Brougham Way and the Battery Street Tunnel will reopen.

· 5 a.m. Monday, June 13: The remaining sections of SR 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel will reopen.

WSDOT is coordinating with the Seattle Department of Transportation and the Port of Seattle to help keep traffic moving in SODO. However, drivers are reminded to plan ahead and allow extra travel time through the area.

For more information on the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement program, visit www.alaskanwayviaduct.org.