Drivers should expect ‘spikes’ of traffic during commutes throughout Seattle’s viaduct closure
May 3, 2016, 9:20 AM | Updated: 12:20 pm
Three days into the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure and we are still in the test phase.
KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan says he’s noticed a variety of corridors getting slammed at unusual places and times. There doesn’t seem to be a big pattern, other than gridlock on I-5 from Tukwila to downtown Seattle.
A lot of people hit State Route 167 on Monday to avoid I-5 altogether. That led to 30-minute delays. Those drivers continued up I-405, adding 30 minutes to the Renton-Bellevue drive.
Related: Bertha tunnel under viaduct is more than 20 percent complete
“We’ll probably see these spikes around the Puget Sound as different population centers try things out that work for them,” said Travis Phelps, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Transportation. He says drivers could have a tough commute from the Eastside or the North end.
“I think people are trying to figure this out and I think we’ll see this trend for the next week or so.”
Phelps says the commute from the south started about 45 minutes early on Monday. Drivers experienced a similar commute on the drive out of West Seattle, which jammed up the West Seattle Bridge for two hours before clearing out. Delaying your day works just as well as starting super early, Phelps suggests.
Additionally, drivers may be able to find a “secret” way into Seattle. If a road looks clear, take it, Phelps says. However, nothing is guaranteed.
“There isn’t a street that can take the capacity of 99,” Phelps added.
Save for a rollover that jammed northbound I-5 near Albro Place Tuesday morning, the commutes have been manageable. Phelps doesn’t expect it to stay that way.
“I fully anticipate some really rough commutes,” he said. Add in some rain and things can go downhill pretty quickly. The forecast includes a chance of rain Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.
Sullivan says drivers need to stay engaged and be ready to switch their routes on the fly.
If you want to share what is working for you during the viaduct closure, contact Sullivan on text line at 98-973 or @kirotraffic on Twitter.
