SDOT will reopen Fairview Ave. N to two-way traffic on Saturday, March 9th (weather permitting). This move marks a key step toward the completion of the East Phase of the Mercer Corridor Project and the transition to Stage 4 – the final stage of Mercer East construction. A step in the right direction, but still messy (really, is it possible to get to I-5 from 5th Ave N in less than 15 minutes?).
Fairview Ave. N has been restricted to one northbound lane between Harrison and Valley since August 2012. It’ll now have two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes between Republican and Mercer. In preparation for the re-opening, there will be lane restrictions on Mercer this Friday, March 8th – beginning at 8pm, Mercer will be reduced to two lanes in each direction though Saturday morning.
Just as Fairview opens, the final stage, Stage 4, of Mercer East begins. Stage 4 is the final stage with the following street restrictions:
- Valley St: restricted to one westbound lane between Fairview and Terry; closed between Terry and Westlake
- Westlake Ave. N: restricted to one northbound lane between Valley St. and Aloha St.
- Broad St: closed between Westlake and 9th Ave. N
- Northbound Terry Ave. N: restricted to local access only between Mercer and Valley
- Access to Lake Union Park will be via Fairview and Valley
Stage 4 is expected to be completed in July. More information on the Mercer Corridor project is available online. Here’s the map of the new traffic flow beginning Saturday, March 9th:
Next up in the ongoing fix of Mercer is Mercer West. This phase of construction will begin in April, and span from Dexter Ave N to 5th Ave W. If you have any questions for the Mercer Project West team, there’s a “Meet the Contractor” event on Thursday, March 21 from 4:30pm-7:30pm at the Seattle Center (Northwest Rooms and Rainier Room). You can share your comments, opinions, feedback and ask questions too.