Seattle Waterfront Viaduct to Close for 2 Weeks on April 29

SEATTLE (AP) — The Alaskan Way Viaduct on Seattle's waterfront is set to close for two weeks starting on April 29. The resulting traffic will reverberate throughout the region.

KING-TV reports the Washington State Department of Transportation said Friday the viaduct will be closed between South Spokane Street and the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel.

The closure is necessary because the State Route 99 tunneling machine Bertha will begin digging underneath the roadway near Yesler Way.

Transportation officials expect the closure will cause widespread traffic, similar to when the viaduct was closed for nine days in 2011.

The state is posting more information about the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure at 99closure.org.