Contractors will remove a small portion of the Alaskan Way Viaduct this weekend to allow construction work on a new street, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
This is not the beginning of viaduct demolition; crews won’t begin fully demolishing the structure until about a week after the tunnel opens. At this point, WSDOT aims to open the tunnel February 4 after a weekend-long tunnel celebration.
Crews will demolish the southern ramp onto the viaduct during the day on Saturday and Sunday and work on the future intersection of South Dearborn Street and First Avenue at night.
After the ramp is removed, crews can pave the new street and build the intersection.
Crews began unearthing tunnel ramps at the south portal last weekend after the ramps to Atlantic Street and from South Royal Brougham Way closed. Before the viaduct closes for good Friday, they will begin permanent barrier and wall work at the south portal.
Join KING 5's Seattle Tunnel Traffic Facebook group to stay up-to-date on the latest Seattle tunnel and viaduct news and get tips to battle traffic during the three-week viaduct closure in January.