Seattle Traffic Alert: WSDOT Closing SR 99 For 3 Weeks

SEATTLE, WA – This is one of those bad news-good news situations where you're not quite sure that you're going to make it through the bad news. The Washington Department of Transportation really hopes that you will.

The state announced Monday that the light at the end of the tunnel is here and that means that the long-awaited SR-99 under Seattle will be ready to open in late January or early February.

To get to that point, the state will have to close the highway in the area for three weeks starting on Jan. 11, so that they can finish project, which includes realigning it. Get all the latest information on what's happening in your community by signing up for Patch's newsletters and breaking news alerts.

For the 90,000 drivers who drive that stretch, it's going to be a problem.

"We recognize that this closure will bring significant disruption to local and regional traffic," WSDOT said Monday.

In an effort to help people keep people calm and focused on the good that will come when the new tunnel opens, WSDOT offers several suggestions for coping with the closing.

Adjust your travel times and know before you go. The state suggests doing you best to avoid peak travel times;

If you can, use mass transit and park and rides;

Work from home;

Make the most of car pool, van pool, and vanshare options;

Bike;

Walk; and

Use the water taxi.

The state warns that even once the closure is lifted, it could still take weeks for things to really start moving smoothly, so be prepared. They have also set up a website with more ideas and more information.

Photo via WSDOT