Date:  Thursday, October 23, 2008

Contact:
Victoria Tobin, WSDOT Communications, 206-464-1184 (Seattle)
Emily Fishkin, SR 519 Intermodal Access Project, 206-267-6821, 206-437-5061 (cell) (Seattle)

SEATTLE – WSDOT broke ground Thursday on a $67 million project to improve traffic, freight mobility and pedestrian safety on SR 519 near the sports stadiums in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. This project will help keep drivers moving as construction gets underway to replace the south end of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

The SR 519 project is located on S. Atlantic Street and S. Royal Brougham Way between First Avenue S. and I-5 near Qwest Field and Safeco Field. Freight and ferry traffic use SR 519 to reach the waterfront and Port of Seattle terminals, as well as a growing number of commuters heading to and from I-5 and I-90 and the stadium area. A large number of pedestrians also cross SR 519 on their way to and from events at the stadiums.

“This area is a perfect storm of activity,” said Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond. “The project is crucial for freight – both trucks and trains – and the safety of pedestrians walking to the stadiums. That’s why WSDOT, the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle, the stadiums, and the freight community worked so hard to make this project a reality.”

As part of this project, crews will build two bridges that will eliminate the delays that drivers and pedestrians currently endure while waiting for trains to pass. The bridges include:

• A westbound off-ramp from I-90 and I-5 that connects to the existing S. Atlantic Street (Edgar Martinez Drive S.) overpass.
• A bridge for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists along S. Royal Brougham Way.

Crews also will widen the intersection of S. Atlantic Street and First Avenue S. to add turn lanes.

“This project is vital to the mobility of Seattle’s south end,” said Seattle Department of Transportation Director Grace Crunican. “The new bridges and surface improvements will benefit all travel modes from freight vehicles at the Port of Seattle’s terminals, to sports and event fans heading to the stadiums, and to ferry riders going to Colman Dock.”

Kiewit Pacific Co. was selected as the contractor last month. The company received the highest technical score of the submittals and shaved one year off the original construction schedule.

WSDOT expects this final phase of the SR 519 Intermodal Access Project to be complete by mid-2010, ahead of major construction to replace the southern mile of the Alaskan Way Viaduct between S. King Street and S. Holgate Street.

“Transportation and economic vitality are directly linked,” said Rep. Judy Clibborn, chair of the state House Transportation Committee. “Not only will this project improve safety and mobility in south downtown – it will also create nearly 1,000 jobs for Washington workers.”

“The Port of Seattle serves as a global gateway for the Pacific Northwest, and it is crucial that we have projects like SR 519 to keep goods moving quickly,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Pat Davis. “Our customers depend on our ability to move cargo - and so do the 200,000 jobs created by the Port. We are pleased to invest in this project.”

South downtown is one of the most active neighborhoods in the city, with a mix of freight, pedestrians, cars and bicycles. This project creates safer connections for the SODO neighborhood.

“These connections are crucial to freight businesses,” said Dan Gatchet, area director of intermodal freight company RoadLink. “With this project in place, we will increase efficiencies in our operations between I-5, I-90 and the Port while ensuring the Puget Sound region continues to thrive as one of North America’s most active trade centers.”

Please visit the project Web site for more information.

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