WSDOT: Seattle viaduct isn’t closing for safety reasons

The state didn’t close Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct Friday morning for reasons you might think.

It’s true, the aging structure is closed because Bertha the tunnel boring machine will make her way under it, but not because it’s not safe to be on, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Related: What you need to know about the viaduct closure

According to a tweet from the state agency Friday morning, the viaduct will be closed for “better monitoring of the structure.”

@Bham_Insider It’s not. Closure is to allow for better monitoring of the structure, not because it’s unsafe to drive on.

— Washington State DOT (@wsdot) April 28, 2016

Ian Sterling, a spokesperson for Washington State Ferries says ferry vehicle traffic will “remain as is.”

“Ferry operations will continue as normal, but as you can imagine, once drivers depart Colman Dock there is a good chance of increase surface-street congestion,” Sterling says.

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