Nighttime work ramps up on Portage Bay Viaduct Project

Over the past couple of months, commuters on State Route 520 (SR520) have noticed the progression of the steel trestle for the new Portage Bay Viaduct adjacent to the current viaduct.

For residents in the area, it’s been a noisy progression at times. Most of the work is during daylight hours but the occasional nighttime work has required the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections to notify nearby residents of the noise impact ahead of time, with a Temporary Noise Variance (TNV) permit offering accommodations.

Beginning Wednesday, February 5, nighttime work will pick up and will fall under the Major Public Project Construction Noise Variance (MPPCNV), allowing set noise limits without the need to offer accommodations to residents. The six-year permit will be closely monitored by on-site inspectors and will not include nighttime piledriving. Projects that will create elevated noise levels are excavations, concrete sawing, installing support beams, rebar and concrete work, paving, signing and striping.

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During the six-year permit, there will be times when certain projects will require the TNV permit and residents will get plenty of notice with the offer of accommodations if the noise level is uncomfortable for them.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has a 24-hour hotline number at 206-319-4520 for residents to call with questions or concerns during construction. Callers will be directed to leave a message including their name, address and as much detail as possible to help staff determine if adjustments can be made. Concerned residents can also email comments to sr520bridge@wsdot.wa.gov with the same detailed message.

What’s next for Portage Bay Viaduct?

Later this month, the next phase of the Portage Bay Viaduct will expand to the nearby Bill Dawson Trail and will include removing trees and vegetation. All tree removals have been reviewed and permitted by the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Commission. Certified arborists and a project environmental team also weighed in and approved the removal of these trees.

The fallen trees will be repurposed in a variety of ways: including mulching to help stop soil erosion, managing stormwater runoff and landscaping in the wetlands. The city of Seattle has guidelines for replacing trees in an effort to maintain the urban canopy by using a formula that ensures more trees are planted than are taken away.

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Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of Nate’s stories here. Follow Nate on X and email him here. Head here to follow KIRO Newsradio Traffic’s profile on X.

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