Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen’s statement on Alaskan Way Viaduct closure and West Seattle swing bridge operations

Home » Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen’s statement on Alaskan Way Viaduct closure and West Seattle swing bridge operations

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen

Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen’s statement on Alaskan Way Viaduct closure and West Seattle swing bridge operations
AWV/SR 99 construction information meetings set for Oct. 10 and 12

Seattle – Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen released the following statement today regarding the U.S. Coast Guard’s decision to temporarily limit opening times of the West Seattle swing bridge during peak commuting hours. This action will ensure east-west commuter mobility while the southern portion of the Alaskan Way Viaduct (AWV) is closed for demolition and replaced with a temporary route.

"During the Alaskan Way Viaduct construction, the City along with our state and regional partners has been working to find ways to keep people and freight moving during the upcoming nine day closure. I applaud the U. S. Coast Guard for issuing a decision to limit the openings of the low-level West Seattle swing bridge during heavy commuter hours. I also want to thank the maritime community for working with the city and state to plan for the nine day closure."

"Maintaining mobility to the residents of the West Seattle peninsula is crucial as there are only three roadway options to cross the Duwamish River to and from West Seattle."

In an email to the Seattle Department of Transportation, the Coast Guard granted the City’s request for an afternoon bridge closure for marine traffic during the AWV closure scheduled for October 21-31. Exceptions are allowed for deep draft vessels, which must announce their departures seventy-two hours in advance, giving time to notify the public. Those instances are expected to be few.

Two open house meetings will provide the public with information about the upcoming AWV/SR 99 nine-day closure (Oct. 21 – 31), commute options during the closure and how SR 99 will change for drivers when it re-opens.

Oct. 10 – West Seattle
6 to 8 p.m., presentation at 6:30 p.m.
West Seattle High School Commons
3000 California Ave. SW, Seattle
Remarks at 6:30 p.m.: Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program Deputy Director Matt Preedy.

Oct. 12 – Ballard
6 to 8 p.m., presentation at 6:30 p.m.
Adams Elementary School
6110 28th Ave. NW, Seattle

Remarks at 6:30 p.m.: Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program Deputy Director Matt Preedy.

For more information visit Seattle City Council’s SR-99 project site and visit WSDOT AWV site closure commuting options and detailed project information.

Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council’s website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

[Go to Council Newsroom]