Originally published August 1, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 1, 2007 at 5:47 PM
Seattle takes steps to prepare for I-5 closures and massive backups
To cope with upcoming lane closures on Interstate 5, the city of Seattle will re-time 90 traffic signals and send traffic police to clogged...
Seattle Times transportation reporter
To cope with upcoming lane closures on Interstate 5, the city of Seattle will re-time 90 traffic signals and send traffic police to clogged intersections, Mayor Greg Nickels announced this morning.
Despite those measures, Nickels urged commuters: "If you've got vacation, take it."
The state Department of Transportation will close two to three northbound lanes of I-5, from South Spokane Street to Interstate 90, to replace worn-out expansion joints between sections of the elevated road deck.
Shutdowns begin Friday night, Aug. 10, and continue through Aug. 29. Enormous traffic backups are expected.
Nickels said police will direct traffic through the intersection of First Avenue South and South Spokane Street, where drivers exit the West Seattle Bridge to the Sodo area.
The city will add a left-turn signal a few blocks east, so Spokane Street traffic can turn left to reach northbound Fourth Avenue South.
About 90 traffic lights will be reprogrammed so their green signals last longer in the north-south direction, said Brian Kemper, city manager of signal operations. These corridors include Airport Way South, First and Fourth avenues South, Beacon Avenue South, and Rainier Avenue South.
Nickels, who lives in West Seattle, said he intends to take a few days of vacation, work online from home, and try the Elliott Bay Water Taxi. He encouraged residents to work online at coffee houses: "Fill up, log in, and chill out."
He spoke at a news conference inside the city's electronic traffic-control center, on the 37th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower.
For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects and click on "I-5 Spokane Street to I-90 Bridge Repair."
Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 11:34 PM
Teen is beaten in bus tunnel; Metro to review policies
UPDATE - 12:15 AM
School levies passing in most area districts
NEW - 10:16 PM
Medical pot exceeds law, but no charges
Seattle physician Brian Krabak will do more than treat injuries at Winter Olympics
NEW - 10:39 PM
Two names dominate as Seattle begins police-chief search

shopping
events for Wednesday, Feb. 10
- Night of Wine Tasting and Film at Whole Foods
- February Specials at Mimisan
- Trunk Show and Benefit at Vian Hunter
- Share Beauty and Hope at Julep
editors' picks
- Vintage, consignment and used clothing
- Local jewelry designers
- Independent video stores
- Spas & beauty salons
- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Man found shot dead in pickup truck in Seattle
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Husky Football Blog | Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
- State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
- Idol Confessions | "American Idol" hopeful from Seattle didn't make it to Hollywood afterall
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- Nicole Brodeur | Chrisceda Clemmons' house wasn't the only casualty
- Brier Dudley's Blog | Google rolls its own Facebook & Twitter with Gmail "Buzz"
- Sex, drug rumors swirl about N.Y. Gov. Paterson
- Republicans may be no-shows at health-plan summit
278 - State Senate votes to clear way for tax increases
250 - Pac-10 expansion to get consideration over next year
249 - Lee undergoes foot surgery
231 - Obama: GOP and Dems together can spur job growth
210 - Fort Lewis soldier charged with abusing 4-year-old, holding her head in water
193 - Rivals names Martin one of Pac-10's best recruiters
143 - Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
128 - Bus-tunnel attack while guards watched prompts review of Metro security
122 - White House mocks Sarah Palin from podium
92
- Seattle is first U.S. stop for Picasso exhibit
- Belltown boulevard could be completed by early next year
- 747-8 soars smoothly on first outing
- Wine Adviser | Oregon's quality pinots join the bargain ranks
- Alaska Air dropping Jones Soda beverages, going back to Coca-Cola
- Snap out of your photo funk: How to make sense of all those piles of images
- How clean are those pre-washed salad greens?
- Answers to biggest Olympic TV questions
- Rick Steves' Europe | What's new in Rome and Venice for 2010
- Brier Dudley's Blog | Google rolls its own Facebook & Twitter with Gmail "Buzz"

