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 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