News Release

Release date: July 19, 2001

Metro buses return to Alaskan Way Viaduct

After three months of reroutes, Metro bus service will resume operation on the Alaskan Way Viaduct beginning Friday morning, July 20.

About 10 Metro routes were affected, when the state Department of Transportation closed the viaduct to heavy vehicles to repair damage caused by the Nisqually Earthquake in February.

At the start of service Friday morning, the following routes will return to their regular viaduct routing: routes 20, 21 Express, 37 Express, 54, 55, 56 Express, 113, 130, 135 and 137 Express.

During the reroute, viaduct buses used temporary stops on First Avenue northbound. Viaduct bus routes will no longer serve those stops at Marion and Seneca streets. No other stops or routing are affected.

"Our staff appreciates how patient our passengers have been with the viaduct detour during the past few months," said Metro General Manager Rick Walsh. "We realize this was disruptive for many people, and we're very happy to get our viaduct routes back to normal operation."

Walsh said initially there will be speed and lane restrictions for heavier vehicles on the viaduct that could affect all traffic. He said bus schedules are expected to return to normal, however, except when they may be impacted by other traffic conditions. He advises bus riders to plan their trips according to the times published on route timetables and in the online schedule available at http://transit.metrokc.gov/.

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