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Dearborn through Pioneer Square reopens early after viaduct demolition

SEATTLE — As Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition nears completion, South Dearborn Street through Pioneer Square reopened early Wednesday.

The section of Dearborn that spans Alaskan Way to First Avenue wasn't scheduled to reopen until Sunday while crews removed a section of the viaduct over the street, but the work was completed four days ahead of schedule.

During the work, First Avenue was squeezed down to one lane in each direction.  Two lanes in each direction are back open to traffic Wednesday.

The Washington State Department of Transportation created time-lapse video of the demolition work at Dearborn over the last six days. When the work started, WSDOT said the demolition work was 92-percent finished.

But this is not the end to the work.

Starting Wednesday, Alaskan Way was narrowed to one lane in each direction near Marion while crews demolish the last span of the viaduct there.

Demolition work remains for a small part of the viaduct north of the Pike Place Market.

See the WSDOT time-lapse video of the demolition below.