'You just know it's going to be bad': Permanent viaduct closure on Jan. 11 to affect 90,000 commuters

'You just know it's going to be bad': Permanent viaduct closure on Jan. 11 to affect 90,000 commuters

SEATTLE -- It’s slated to be the longest major highway closure to hit the Puget Sound region.Realigning 99 before the tunnel opens will send 90,000 drivers who commute on the Alaskan Way Viaduct to find another way around Seattle.“I can’t even imagine what that's going to be like,” said Cindi Raykovich, owner of Sound Sports.For three weeks starting January 11, the viaduct and the tunnel will close while crews finish work on the tunnel and eight on and off ramps for the project.“I don’t really think about it anymore.

Alaskan Way Viaduct will permanently shut down on Jan. 11, officials announce

Alaskan Way Viaduct will permanently shut down on Jan. 11, officials announce

SEATTLE -- State transportation officials announced Monday that the Alaskan Way Viaduct will close beginning on January 11.Transportation officials say they wanted to avoid tying up traffic just before the holiday season so they decided to not close SR 99 but want people to get prepared now for traffic delays.“We’ve decided that an early 2019 date is going to be best for the City of Seattle and the community at large,” said Brian Nielsen, Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program Administrator.Before the tunnel can open for traffic, SR 99 will have to be closed for about a three-week period beginning on January 11.During this time crews will complete work on the highway and eight new ramps.“This closure is going to be a long-term major closure of a major route in Seattle and folks need to start thinking now what they’re alternative transportations are going to be," Nielsen said.Nielsen says drivers should expect delays that could last for up to six weeks after the closure begins.

Operations building for SR 99 tunnel suffers damage during testing

Operations building for SR 99 tunnel suffers damage during testing

SEATTLE – One of the operations buildings for the new SR 99 tunnel suffered some damage during a testing session Thursday night, WSDOT said.“Pressurized air forced a door open and caused some drywall damage in the north operations building,” WSDOT said in a statement.Nobody was hurt, and there was no structural damage.“This is precisely why the contractor has an extensive testing protocol in place,” the statement reads. “We are investigating the cause and will make adjustment to design and operations, as needed.”WSDOT said the incident happened as Seattle Tunnel Partners tests 90 safety and operations systems in the tunnel and operations buildings.

Preliminary toll schedule decided for new State Route 99 Tunnel

Preliminary toll schedule decided for new State Route 99 Tunnel

OLYMPIA, Wash.-- Drivers who use the new State Route 99 Tunnel that will replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct through downtown Seattle can now calculate how much their new commute might cost them.On Tuesday afternoon, the Washington State Transportation Commission decided on a preliminary toll schedule, which sets hours and rates for the new tunnel deep underneath Seattle's city center.Driving through the new tunnel won't be cheap.

WSDOT: New Highway 99 tunnel could open around Thanksgiving

WSDOT: New Highway 99 tunnel could open around Thanksgiving

SEATTLE – Baseball, soccer, gay pride and more: It’s going to be a busy, busy weekend in Seattle.It’s also the first few days of summer and that means construction season is in full swing.The Washington State Department of Transportation says portions of Highway 99 will be closed and its information you should know before you hit the road.Thousands of drivers still use the viaduct to get around, especially when Interstate 5 is busy.

State looking at tolling plans for new Highway 99 tunnel

State looking at tolling plans for new Highway 99 tunnel

SEATTLE - The tunnel that will replace Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct is nearing completion, but the state is still trying to figure out how much drivers will have to pay to use it.The Washington State Transportation Commission is taking public input on how much the tolls should cost.There are three options to choose from:

Officials considering Seattle's Highway 99 tunnel toll costs

Officials considering Seattle's Highway 99 tunnel toll costs

SEATTLE -- State transportation commissioners say they are considering the lowest possible tolls for the Highway 99 tunnel in Seattle so drivers won't be tempted to skip it for busy downtown streets.One top option would charge four rates that range from $1 on weekends and $1.50 at morning peaks to $2.25 each direction during afternoon rush hour.

Watch: WSDOT releases 'ultimate look at Bertha's breakthrough' from drone cam

Watch: WSDOT releases 'ultimate look at Bertha's breakthrough' from drone cam

SEATTLE -- The world's largest tunnel-boring machine broke through a concrete wall beneath Seattle on Tuesday to reach the end of its long, troubled journey, a milestone in a multibillion-dollar project to replace an aging highway hugging the city's waterfront.And now WSDOT is giving us a drone's eye view of Bertha breaking through the outer concrete wall into the daylight.

New Seattle waterfront one step closer following Bertha's breakthrough

New Seattle waterfront one step closer following Bertha's breakthrough

SEATTLE -- The breakthrough of the tunnel-boring machine Bertha created a palpable feeling of change coming to Seattle's waterfront.“It’s really loud down here, I think it’s louder than most of the rest of the city," says Seattle resident, Denise Dumouchel.Longtime business owner Cindy Raykovich, who owns a running gear store with her husband, agrees.

For whom Bertha's SR-99 tolls ... toll?

For whom Bertha's SR-99 tolls ... toll?

Bertha’s breakthrough break through gets us one step closer to actually being able to drive in the new 99 tunnel. But don't forget that it's going to actually cost money with tolls---likely around the clock.