SEATTLE — Seattle businesses are preparing for five years of traffic problems. The Viaduct closes in January and is expected to impact traffic in Seattle in a way the city has never seen before. The road construction and closures, dubbed the "Seattle Squeeze," are expected to last until 2024.
At the corporate headquarters for Holland America Group on lower Queen Anne, employees are already being given options. One-third of employees already tele-work, that number is expected to increase during the closure. They're also offering flex-work to vary commute times and are encouraging people not to drive in alone.
When the Viaduct closes Jan. 11, the new tunnel won't open for about three weeks after that. Tolls on the tunnel could begin as early as summer.
Several other projects will pinch traffic too. In March, the bus tunnel will close to buses, forcing them all on to 3rd Avenue.
The city is working with partners and businesses to prepare.
Click here for more information from SDOT on how to navigate through downtown during the Seattle Squeeze.
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