SEATTLE – When the clock strikes 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct, as it is today, will cease to exist. With just one day remaining before crews close the viaduct and begin demolishing its southernmost mile, drivers should take a last practice run of their alternate plans to get around during the closure.
 
While crews are demolishing part of the viaduct and completing connections to new SR 99 lanes in SODO, drivers will face daily commutes without one of Seattle’s two north-south highways. Traffic on Saturday will be especially heavy around CenturyLink Field as the Washington State Cougars play the Oregon State Beavers at 7:30 p.m. Drivers headed to the game should plan ahead for extra congestion. The Washington State Department of Transportation urges football fans and daily viaduct commuters alike to find alternate ways to get to their destinations.
 
“We know the closure is an inconvenience for drivers, but the demolition work is a vital step in building a safer SR 99 through Seattle,” said state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond. “If you haven’t familiarized yourself with alternative forms of transportation, now is the time to pick the option that works best for you.”