MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle’s Mercer Corridor to soon get two-way traffic

Apr 16, 2014, 6:28 PM | Updated: Apr 17, 2014, 7:51 am

An artists rendering shows a future view of the Mercer Corridor in Seattle. (City of Seattle image)...

An artists rendering shows a future view of the Mercer Corridor in Seattle. (City of Seattle image)

(City of Seattle image)

There’s good news for the thousands of drivers who travel the Mercer Corridor. The Seattle Department of Transportation says it’s about to reach a major milestone in the years-long project.

SDOT announced Wednesday two-way traffic on Mercer Street between First Avenue N. and Ninth Avenue N. and on Roy Street between Queen Avenue N. and Fifth Avenue N. will start flowing this spring.

Construction to extend two-way Mercer Street from Ninth Avenue N. to First Avenue N. has been going on since April 2013. Crews have completed demolition and substantial reconstruction of the SR 99 bridge over Mercer Street, relocated utilities between Fifth Avenue N. and Ninth Avenue N., and completed street light upgrades, signal installations and pedestrian improvements between Queen Anne Avenue N. and Fifth Avenue N., according to Rick Sheridan, SDOT spokesman.

Crews will begin converting the major corridor to two-way traffic later this month. SDOT will make the transition in three phases, starting with shifting the two eastbound Mercer Street traffic lanes onto their permanent location on the south side of the roadway, with two-traffic beginning to flow soon after.

The Roy Street transition will take place next, followed by the final phase which includes opening Mercer Street to two-way traffic between Fifth Avenue N. and Ninth Avenue N., along with the permanent closure of Broad Street in late May or early June.

You can learn more about the traffic changes here.

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