This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com
On December 2, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin a six-month rehabilitation project to improve a portion of State Route 99 (SR 99) through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) and Des Moines. The two-mile stretch is between S. 200th Street near Angle Lake and State Route 516 (SR 516) in Des Moines.
The $8.3 million project will improve pedestrian safety at the intersections by updating curbs to meet American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and adding a new layer of paving to keep motorists safe. to provide a smoother surface.
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The majority of the work will take place during the evening/night hours when traffic is lightest, although drivers may experience occasional lane restrictions during the day and on weekends if the contractors deem it necessary.
This project requires overnight closures of lanes in both directions of SR 99, Monday through Friday, beginning at 8:00 PM and reopening at 5:00 AM the following morning. At least one lane will remain open in each direction during business hours.
WSDOT plans to address curb work during the winter months. In the spring, when the weather improves, the contractor will begin demolishing the existing pavement before re-covering it with hot asphalt. This aggregate and asphalt binder are mixed at high temperatures to form a hard, strong paving material with an average lifespan of 20 years.
This section of SR 99/Pacific Highway is a heavily used route for motorists entering Sea-Tac from the south, with 30,000 daily travelers, and was last paved in 2006, according to WSDOT.
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This portion of State Route 99 was constructed in 1927 and supplemented Washington’s only north-to-south highway until Interstate 5 (I-5) was built in the mid-to-late 1960s.
Late night travelers to Sea-Tac should expect minor backups and delays over the next six months while this project is underway.
As a reminder, in early spring 2025, the Revive I-5 project will begin its next phase between downtown Seattle and Northgate, with two lanes closed 24 hours a day for nine months.
