Jan Drago should read CHS. Seattle PostGlobe recounts a diatribe by the City Council transportation committee chair where she expresses her shock that Sound Transit is planning to close the Olive Way offramp from northbound I5 as part of the preparation process for boring the light rail tunnel through Capitol Hill. We first wrote about the closure plan last October.
Maybe Drago was surprised by the date — Sound Transit, which had been describing the closure as coming ‘late in 2009’ is now gearing up for a closure that could begin as early as May according to the PostGlobe. We’ve got an e-mail out to Sound Transit to confirm their planned start date and duration of closure — in October, the plan called for a closure of nine months. This more recent document suggests a year-long closure will be necessary.
And, the Olive Way offramp isn’t the only I5 exit in the area that will be affected. Sound Transit will also need the Pike/Pine reversible off-ramp from the express lanes to be restricted to southbound use as they work to strengthen the retaining walls below I5.
Which northbound I5 route do you usually take to Capitol Hill?
It’s not clear the impact the Olive Way offramp closure will have on area traffic. It surely will mean an increase in drivers using the Madison exit to reach Capitol Hill. Will it lead to miles of back-up on I5 as predicted by Drago? We’ll see if we can get some more data from the various departments of transportation involved. Would have already made the calls earlier but, like Drago, we’re a little surprised by the new target date. So, based on your own behavior, how big a pain will the Olive Way exit closure be? Never drive I5? You’re a step ahead of the rest of us. Happy Earth Day.
UPDATE
Received the following from Sound Transit this morning confirming the May 18th date and 1-year closure. Also details another closure in the area involving the Cherry street onramp.
Olive Way & Pike/Pine Ramps To Close for Tunnel Preparation
Construction is now underway on University Link, a 3.15 mile light rail line extension that will connect downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and the University of Washington.In early 2011 the tunnel boring machine that will construct the light rail tunnels between Capitol Hill and downtown Seattle will start digging south from Capitol Hill. Before it reaches the Pine Street area in late 2011, Sound Transit must prepare the ground under I-5 for the arrival of the tunnel boring machine. The construction contract to complete this work will require the temporary closures of the Olive Way off-ramp from northbound I-5, the Cherry Street on-ramp to northbound I-5 and the Pike/Pine reversible HOV ramp to the I-5 express lanes.
Drivers should plan ahead during the closures and expect:
* The Olive Way off-ramp from northbound I-5 will be closed for about one year starting as early as May 18, 2009.
* The Cherry Street on-ramp to northbound I-5 and one lane of northbound I-5 will be closed for about four weeks as early as May 26, 2009. This ramp will also close for about four weeks in Spring 2010.
* While the Cherry Street on-ramp is closed, the Cherry Street entrance to the I-5 express lanes from 5th Avenue will be open to all traffic (currently only open for HOV).
* The Pike/Pine reversible HOV ramp from the I-5 express lanes will be closed for about one year starting in mid-June 2009. Buses will still be able to access the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel.
I-5 Undercrossing Project ScheduleOlive Way off-ramp closure May 18, 2009
Cherry Street on-ramp closure (including one northbound I-5 lane) May 26, 2009
Pike/Pine reversible HOV ramp closure Mid-June 2009
Cherry Street on-ramp closure (including one northbound I-5 lane) Spring 2010
All I-5 ramps re-opened to traffic Spring 2010
Tunneling work from the Capitol Hill Station towards downtown Seattle begins Early 2011
Sound Transit is working closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation, the City of Seattle and King County Metro to plan detours. During the year long closure a signed detour route will be in place. Drivers will exit to Madison Street and turn left on Boren Avenue to reach Olive Way. A major effort to educate drivers about the detour routes and construction status is underway.
i mostly see that off-ramp being used weekday mornings by commuters trying to get into downtown or up onto the hill; so i’m not sure what kind of impact it will have for car driving hill residents. personally, i’m glad that the ramp will be closed; it will make it easier as a pedestrian to get through that area without getting nearly run over.
many people exiting on the ramp don’t understand it’s a deceleration zone and that they should yield to pedestrians.
Agreed zeebleoop, I won’t miss that merging traffic when walking or cycling on Olive (although dump trucks could be worse).
I predict the biggest impact will be on the steep section of Boston St (St Marks area) that is a shortcut for those using the Lakeview exit to cut over to 10th or 15th Ave.
One thing to consider is the effect of the closure on the businesses along Olive Way. While many of our customers live nearby and walk or bike to visit us, we have had a great many out of towners come to our tasting events lately. Furthermore, when friends, family, or out of town customers ask for directions and for a place to eat or lounge, we suggest Dinette, The Saint, Stumbling Monk, and the like. It’s been so easy to give directions: “just get off I-5 at the Olive Way exit and come up the hill. Find parking and wander around to take a look . . .” It’s our way of getting folks new to the area to understand the great concentration and variety of places on the Olive Way grade. When the exit closes, what will be the best way to suggest how to find us?
Fair question. Sound Transit has been really active with mitigation efforts for businesses but none of them address this kind of day-to-day access issue. Most Sound Transit support has been classes for business owners, money to support Chamber of Commerce and the art efforts on Broadway.
No mention of James St.? The potholes and hill climb are like going into a war zone, true, but at least it’s an alternative to Madison.
Here’s what Sound Transit had to say about their efforts to help Olive Way area businesses during the closure:
Sound Transit worked closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation, the City of Seattle and King County Metro to plan the most direct detour for individuals to get to Capitol Hill. During the year long closure a signed detour route will be in place. Drivers will exit to Madison Street and turn left on Boren Avenue to reach Olive Way.
In addition to the signed detour, Sound Transit is creating detour direction cards for business to utilize, posting the detours directions on our website so business can post the detour directions on their websites for patrons, and doorbelling businesses in the area to educate them on the closures and the detour routes. Please let us know if we can further assist businesses in educating their patrons on the detour routes.
I use that ramp everyday. I work on that intersection and live a block away. Anytime I’m coming up from the south part of metro Seattle I use the Olive St exit. I’ve never felt threatened by traffic coming off of I-5.