Date:  Thursday, April 09, 2009

Contact: Greg Phipps, WSDOT Communications, 206-464-1265
David Sowers, WSDOT Project Engineer, 206-802-3969

SEATTLE – Major construction on streets next to Safeco Field will add a wrinkle to getting to the baseball, soccer or football game on time this year.

Crews working for WSDOT contractor Kiewit Pacific Co. are building a new bridge over the railroad tracks on Royal Brougham Way. Bridge construction will require narrowing the street to one lane in each direction (see attached map) between Occidental Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. during major events and closing the street to through traffic at all other times until early spring 2010.

“If you’re going to a baseball game at Safeco Field, or a soccer match, football game or event at Qwest Field or Qwest Field Event Center in the next year, a little planning will help you get there on time.” WSDOT Project Engineer David Sowers said.

The Royal Brougham Way closures that began March 30 will get their first major test in the next 10 days. Sounders FC will play at Qwest Field Saturday, April 11, followed by the first Mariners homestand at Safeco Field starting Tuesday, April 14. And the AMA Supercross will occur Saturday, April 18, at Qwest Field.

Sowers said fans could see additional congestion and delays on streets near the stadiums, and may encounter longer walks to events due to parking restrictions and pedestrian detours. Fans and event-goers can take these steps to arrive on time:

• Allow extra time. Try leaving early and enjoying lunch or dinner in the area before the game or event.
• Carpool or use transit. Try parking downtown and taking the bus to the stadiums.
• Know before you go: 
• Check the SR 519 Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr519/.
• For city streets – check real-time traffic, construction and closure info on the city’s new Traveler Information Web site at web5.seattle.gov/travelers.

Other closures
Starting in May, drivers can expect closures on Fourth Avenue S. at Royal Brougham for construction of a new I-90 off-ramp to Edgar Martinez Drive S. Closures are scheduled to continue until February 2010.

In addition, Third Avenue S. is already closed from S. Royal Brougham Way to just south of Edgar Martinez Drive S. and will remain closed until early spring 2010.

These closures are necessary to build the SR 519 Intermodal Access project. Project improvements will make the corridor safer for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, and enhance traffic flow for freight traveling to the Port of Seattle, ferry commuters traveling to Colman Dock, and sports fans heading to the stadiums. The $84 million project is funded primarily through the 2003 gas tax and will support an estimated 910 jobs. Visit WSDOT’s construction update report at www.wsdot.wa.gov/northwest/king/construction/ for a complete listing of closures on the SR 519 project.

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