Section of Seattle's Broad Street permanently closed; Mercer now a 2-way street

SEATTLE — Quick Facts:

• Broad closed between Ninth and Fifth
• Mercer now a 2-way street
• Expect heavy traffic or avoid the area

Broad Street has permanently closed to traffic between Ninth Avenue North and Fifth Avenue North.

The Seattle Department of Transportation said the closure is necessary to complete major road improvements.

The closure will create significant traffic disruptions along the Mercer Corridor.  SDOT is advising drivers to use alternate routes and expect lengthy delays because of the closure and drivers adjusting to new two-way access on Mercer Street connecting I-5 to lower Queen Anne.

The closed portion of Broad Street will be used to widen Mercer for its final configuration of three lanes in each direction between I-5 and Fifth Avenue North, and for the SR 99 North Access Project which will build connections onto adjacent streets from the future SR 99 tunnel.

Changes through the corridor also include:

•Mercer Street is open with two lanes in each direction between Queen Anne Avenue North and Ninth Avenue North.

•Access to Seattle Center and Queen Anne is now a direct route via westbound Mercer Street from I-5.

•Roy Street is open with one lane in each direction between Queen Anne Avenue North and Fifth Avenue North.

•Queen Anne Avenue North is open with one northbound lane and two southbound lanes between Roy and Mercer streets.

•Left turns from westbound Mercer Street onto southbound Fifth Avenue North are available.

•Left turns from eastbound Mercer Street onto northbound Dexter Avenue North will not be allowed for approximately one year.

•Access to northbound SR 99 from eastbound Mercer Street is via southbound Dexter Avenue North onto westbound Thomas Street.

More information about alternate routes during construction may be found at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/mercercorridor.htm.

KIRO