Heavy Seattle traffic, but no gridlock

SEATTLE — A Washington Transportation Department spokesman says Tuesday evening rush hour congestion in the Seattle area has been “much more intense” than Monday’s first weeknight commute with the Alaskan Way Viaduct closed.

Spokesman Jeff Switzer says traffic backed up in the same spots as on Monday evening — such as southbound I-5 — but the congestion started earlier and ran longer than it typically does.

Tuesday morning commuters faced slightly heavier traffic, but not massive gridlock.

A nine-day closure of the elevated highway that runs along Seattle’s waterfront began Friday evening. The aging, earthquake- vulnerable roadway normally carries 110,000 vehicles a day. With I-5, it’s one of Seattle’s two main north-south highways.

Transportation officials said Tuesday they’re about halfway through demolishing the southern mile of the viaduct. It’s all part of a $3.2 billion project to replace it with a tunnel under downtown Seattle.

Matt Christian-Michaels, 28, a web designer who works in Pioneer Square, said his Tuesday commute by bus from West Seattle took about 10 minutes longer but wasn’t bad.

“I’m sure it’s going to build up,” he said, while riding the bus into work, adding: “I think I’ll get the bike fixed for the rest of the week.”