As part of the West Phase of the Mercer Corridor Project, a large portion of Aurora/99 and part of Mercer Street will be closed starting 11pm Friday, May 17 through 5am Monday, May 20. Then, beginning Monday, travel along and around Mercer will change. Expect “significant delays” for the weekend,and “major” Mercer and Aurora/99 impacts beyond the weekend.

The run-down on the closure and the aftermath are as follows from SDOT:

Weekend closure:

• Aurora/99 will be fully closed between Valley St and the southern end of the Battery St Tunnel
• Traffic traveling through Seattle via SR 99 will be directed to I-5 north of Seattle at 85th Street or south of Seattle at E Marginal Way
• Mercer Street will be fully closed to traffic between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N
• Traffic heading east towards I-5 will be detoured to Denny Way at 5th Ave N and will reconnect to Mercer Street at Dexter Avenue N to continue east
• Sidewalks will be closed on both sides of SR 99 between Thomas and Valley Streets and on the south side of Mercer between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N

Beginning Monday, May 20:

• Lane restrictions on Mercer will remain in place between 4th Ave N and 9th Ave N an alternate route for travelers heading to I-5
• Broad Street re-opens to eastbound traffic as an alternate route to I5
• Signal modifications at the intersections of 5th Ave N and Harrison St and Harrison St and Broad St will allow southbound 5th Ave N traffic to connect to eastbound Broad Street
• Due to the re-opening of Broad Street to two-way traffic, left turns from eastbound and westbound Mercer onto 9th Ave N will be restricted to facilitate traffic flow on Mercer. Travelers heading north towards Westlake and Fremont should use Dexter Avenue N to reach their destinations.

Mercer West: 5th Ave W to Dexter Ave N - Access to Northbound 99 During Construction

Mercer West: 5th Ave W to Dexter Ave N - Access to I5 During Construction

Additional traffic revisions will include:

• Mercer will be reduced to two eastbound lanes between 4th Ave N and 9th Ave N
• Local access will be maintained at Taylor Avenue N
• The sidewalk on the north side of Mercer will be closed between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N. The sidewalk on the south side of Mercer Street will remain open
• Aurora/99 traffic will be shifted to the west side of the roadway between Valley and Harrison streets; two lanes of SR 99 in each direction will remain open
• Northbound 99 off-ramp to Mercer will be permanently closed. A new signalized intersection at Republican Street and Dexter Avenue N will be available for northbound SR 99 traffic to reach South Lake Union

SDOT will reopen Fairview Ave. N to two-way traffic on Saturday, March 9th (weather permitting). This move marks a key step toward the completion of the East Phase of the Mercer Corridor Project and the transition to Stage 4 – the final stage of Mercer East construction. A step in the right direction, but still messy (really, is it possible to get to I-5 from 5th Ave N in less than 15 minutes?).

Fairview Ave. N has been restricted to one northbound lane between Harrison and Valley since August 2012. It’ll now have two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes between Republican and Mercer. In preparation for the re-opening, there will be lane restrictions on Mercer this Friday, March 8th – beginning at 8pm, Mercer will be reduced to two lanes in each direction though Saturday morning.

Just as Fairview opens, the final stage, Stage 4, of Mercer East begins. Stage 4 is the final stage with the following street restrictions:

• Valley St: restricted to one westbound lane between Fairview and Terry; closed between Terry and Westlake
• Westlake Ave. N: restricted to one northbound lane between Valley St. and Aloha St.
• Broad St: closed between Westlake and 9th Ave. N
• Northbound Terry Ave. N: restricted to local access only between Mercer and Valley
• Access to Lake Union Park will be via Fairview and Valley

Stage 4 is expected to be completed in July. More information on the Mercer Corridor project is available online. Here’s the map of the new traffic flow beginning Saturday, March 9th:

Next up in the ongoing fix of Mercer is Mercer West. This phase of construction will begin in April, and span from Dexter Ave N to 5th Ave W. If you have any questions for the Mercer Project West team, there’s a “Meet the Contractor” event on Thursday, March 21 from 4:30pm-7:30pm at the Seattle Center (Northwest Rooms and Rainier Room). You can share your comments, opinions, feedback and ask questions too.

As part of the ongoing Mercer Corridor Project (but really, it’ll be done one day), new Mercer eastbound lane restrictions begin this Monday, December 10th.

According to SDOT, the lane restrictions will last “approximately two weeks” as SDOT installs new signal poles and mast arms at the intersection of Mercer and Fairview Ave N. Two eastbound lanes on Mercer will remain open to traffic between Terry and Fairview. The work will occur on weekdays between 9am and 3pm. A uniformed SPD officer will facilitate traffic flow, but we all know it’ll still be messy.

Due to complaints, including yours truly one morning, SDOT has finally decided to do something about people traveling eastbound on Mercer blocking the box at Dexter and not allowing north/south flow on Dexter.

To address the problem of drivers blocking the intersection and preventing traffic from moving, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) on Sunday striped the Mercer Street and Dexter Avenue North intersection, and hung more noticeable overhead warning signs. The Mercer East project is additionally deploying uniformed police officers at the intersection on Monday, September 17, from 7:00-11:00 a.m. and from 3:00-7:00 p.m. to reinforce the law’s requirements with noncompliant drivers.

With Mercer East project construction continuing through summer 2013 and major roads like Fairview Ave N currently closed, the street modifications will help prevent drivers from “blocking the box” and aid traffic in moving along the corridor. SDOT continues to monitor and adjust the signal timing through the corridor to best support all traffic flow.

The Seattle Department of Transportation will begin intermittent nighttime lane closures on Mercer Street today, Monday, August 29, as part of ongoing work on the Mercer Corridor Project.

Once again the Seattle Department of Transportation will be closing down the Mercer Street on and off ramps to I-5 for two full weekends this month in order to do ongoing work required for the Mercer Corridor Project. The closures will take place from 11 p.m. this coming Friday, August 12 until 5 a.m. on Monday, August 15, and again from August 26 to 29 during the same hours.

Detour signs will be posted around the area, but if you’d like to look up the detour routes beforehand, you may download them both here:

Access from I-5 Detour Map
Access to I-5 Detour Map

In addition to these two closures, WSDOT will be concurrently closing all lanes on SR 520 from 11:00 p.m. Friday, August 26, to 5:00 a.m. Monday, August 29, between Montlake Boulevard and I-405 in Bellevue. (SR 520 from I-5 to Montlake Boulevard will remain open to traffic). Details on this closure and detour maps can be viewed here.

SDOT will also be implementing a number of other nighttime lane closures related to the Mercer Corridor Project throughout the month:

• Beginning as early as Monday, August 1, northbound Westlake Avenue N will be closed overnight between Mercer Street and Valley Street. Northbound traffic, including King County Metro bus routes, will be detoured to Terry Avenue N from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. for approximately one week. Southbound traffic will remain on Westlake Avenue N. For King County Metro bus information, please visit Metro Online at www.kingcounty.gov/metro and check the “Alerts Center.”
• Beginning as early as Monday, August 8, nighttime lane closures will occur intermittently on Mercer Street at both Boren Avenue N and Terry Avenue N to accommodate water main installations lasting approximately three weeks. Up to three lanes of Mercer Street will be closed overnight, and Boren Avenue N and Terry Avenue N will have intermittent closures to through traffic between Republican Street and Mercer Street. Work hours are expected to be 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

See a map of all of SDOT’s ongoing and upcoming construction projects citywide here.

The Puget Sound Regional Council has secured $5.2 million in federal funding for transportation improvements in the Mercer Corridor, according to a statement released this afternoon. The PSRC says the funding will go toward constructing and improving bicycle lanes on Roy Street, and sidewalk and pavement reconstruction on Mercer Street.

“Helping communities secure federal transportation funding is one of the key roles of the PSRC,” said PSRC President Josh Brown in a press release. “This project rose to the top on its merits and can not only deliver improvements for the future, but help grow jobs in the near term.”

From the PSRC:

PSRC develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth, transportation and economic development planning within King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. The Council is composed of over 80 entities, including all four counties, cities and towns, ports, state and local transportation agencies and tribal governments within the region. In 2012, PSRC will select projects for the roughly $400 million in federal funds the region can expect to receive over the next few years.

Read more about the PSRC and its transportation improvement work in the region here.

Looking for something fun to do in the neighborhood this weekend? Check out Queen Anne’s weekend happenings:

• Join in one of the historic Olmsted walks on Saturday with an all-day 12-13 mile walk from Ballard (leaving from Aster Coffee at 5615 24th Ave. NW at 8:30 a.m.) to Queen Anne by way of Discovery Park, Magnolia Blvd, Kinnear Park, and Queen Anne Blvd. Details here.
• Pick your own lavender on Saturday and Sunday at the Interbay P-Patch’s U-Pick Lavender Sale. Swing by the garden, at 2451 15th Ave W, between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. either day. Cost is $3 for a small bunch and $5 for a large.
• Listen to some fun and quirky tunes by musical due “Team Andrew,” who will be swinging by El Diablo at 4 p.m. on Sunday to share their music, and meet with fans during the Seattle stop of their International Tour. Check out their “surreal hip hop” in this music video.

If you venture out of Queen Anne this weekend, keep in mind that traffic is going to be tight both coming and going due to the SDOT’s Mercer Street I-5 on and off ramp closure all weekend long. There are also quite a few special events taking place around town this weekend, including the Capitol Hill Block Party, Chinatown and West Seattle Parades, the Roosevelt Bull Moose Festival, the Swedish SummeRun, various Seafair related events, and quite a few more. Many of these events will mean lane closures, and all will cause higher traffic congestion, so watch out. Download SDOT’s full weekend traffic advisory here (.pdf).

You may soon be able to enjoy a drink at one of Queen Anne’s most adored dive bars, Streamline Tavern, out in the summer sun, as well as inside the dim-lit bar. On Monday, July 18 the Streamline, located at 121 W Mercer Street, applied for a sidewalk cafe permit with the Seattle Department of Transportation.

The permit would allow the bar to install outdoor seating adjacent to the sidewalk on Mercer, provided it is blocked off from public by a railing, and offer table and alcoholic beverage service.

The public is invited to comment on the Streamline’s sidewalk cafe application through Thursday, August 4. Comments should be submitted via email to annualpermits@seattle.gov, or by mail to SDOT, Attn: Annual Permits, PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA 98124. Comments should include the application number, project address and commenter’s contact information. Details on how to comment on this project can be found here.

During these closures, the I-5 on-ramp at University Street will be concurrently closed to provide more efficient traffic flow around the closed Mercer Street exit lane. Fairview Avenue N will also be closed between Mercer Street and Valley Street, and Mercer Street will be closed to through traffic between Westlake Avenue N and Fairview Avenue N. All detour routes will be clearly marked.

The Washington State Department of Transportation will be concurrently closing all lanes on SR 520 from 11:00 p.m. Friday, July 8, to 5:00 a.m. Monday, July 11, between Montlake Boulevard in Seattle and Interstate 405 in Bellevue. SR 520 from I-5 to Montlake Boulevard will remain open to traffic. Details of the closure and detour maps are available at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR520Bridge/WeekendClosures.htm.

Travelers are encouraged to carpool and use alternate modes of transportation. Transit information can be found at:

• King County Metro at www.kingcounty.gov/metro or by calling 206-553-3000
• Sound Transit at www.soundtransit.org
• Community Transit at www.commtrans.org

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be closing down the I-5 on and off ramps at Mercer Street again this weekend, as part of ongoing work needed as part of the Mercer Corridor Project.

The closure will begin at 11 p.m. on Friday, June 17, and go until 5 a.m. on Monday, June 20. Detour route maps are available here. From SDOT:

Detour routes shown will be signed on roadways and may be heavily used, particularly Denny Way both eastbound and westbound. Travelers are advised to consider alternate routes to their destinations such as SR 99 or alternate I-5 exits and entrances.

After this weekend’s closure, the Mercer Street access to and from I-5 will not be closed again until the weekend of July 8-11, and is scheduled to take place during the same hours. From SDOT:

During these closures, the I-5 on-ramp at University Street will be concurrently closed to provide more efficient traffic flow around the closed Mercer Street exit lane. Fairview Avenue N will also be closed between Mercer Street and Valley Street and Mercer Street will be closed to through traffic between Westlake Avenue N and Fairview Avenue N. All detour routes will be clearly marked to support traffic flow around the closures.

SDOT is advising travelers heading to the Fremont Solstice Parade and Fair to use SR 99 or to the alternate I-5 off-ramps at Olive Way (northbound) or Stewart St. (southbound) and Denny Way to Westlake Ave. N. More information on routes to the Fremont Fair can be found at the fair website.

Travelers are encouraged to carpool and use alternate modes of transportation. Transit information can be found at:

• King County Metro at www.kingcounty.gov/metro, or by calling 206-553-3000
• Sound Transit at www.soundtransit.org
• Community Transit at www.commtrans.org

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is preparing for more weekend-long closures at the Mercer Street on and off-ramp to I-5 throughout May.

Work that is part of Mercer Corridor Project will shut down the on and off-ramps for at least two weekends this month: Friday, May 6 to Monday, May 9, and Friday, May 20 to Monday, May 23. The Mercer Street exit and on-ramp may also be closed for a third weekend, from Friday, May 13 to Monday, May 16, pending final coordination with other major work projects in the area.

The I-5 on-ramp at University Street will be concurrently closed to provide more efficient traffic flow around the closed Mercer Street exit lane. Fairview Avenue N will also be closed between Mercer Street and Valley Street. All detour routes will be clearly marked to support traffic flow around the closures.

Mercer Street ramp closures are required for utility installations on Fairview Avenue N at Mercer Street, including water, sewer, electrical and communications line installations, as well as to align the existing on- and off-ramps with the future westbound lanes of Mercer Street.

During weekend closures, Metro Transit plans to reroute its bus service on routes 70, 71, 72, 73 and 83 off of Fairview Avenue N from 11:00 p.m. on Friday to 5:00 a.m. on Monday. Buses will be rerouted via Eastlake Avenue E: northbound between Mercer Street and Galer Street; and southbound from Galer Street to Thomas Street. Rerouted buses will serve posted stops on Eastlake Avenue E, but will not make any stops on the cross streets between Eastlake and Fairview.