This past week, Seattle Public Utilities closed one lane in each direction of Aurora Ave N between Ward and Comstock streets to fix a sewer line. Traffic backed up every day during the morning and evening commutes – sometimes as far north as Woodland Park Zoo.
Crews expected to complete work this past Friday, but ran into a snag when they discovered a collapsed section of pipe. According to SPU, the sewer line appears to be over 50% blocked causing sewage overflows – so while the reduced lane access is impacting the rush hour commutes, it needs to be fixed before sewage backs up into surrounding homes and buildings.
Going forward, there is some relief as all southbound lanes will be open during the day. However, one northbound lane will remain closed 24 hours/day until the sewer line is fixed, which can take up to two weeks. Additional night-time closures (after 7pm) are likely throughout the repair process and may also impact southbound traffic.
Note: Google maps image highlights southbound by default, but it’s the northbound direction that will have a round-the-clock lane closure until the sewer line is repaired.