Drivers, businesses nervous as 'Mercer Mess' morphs
SEATTLE - The "Mercer Mess" is now even messier.
This weekend drivers are getting another reminder that what's expected to be "the Gateway to the City" is still a work in progress.
It all adds up to more big changes for drivers this weekend and Monday morning.
Seattle motorists remember well the four eastbound lanes on Mercer Street and how they earned their Mercer Mess nickname.
Well, they can forget those memories because now it's even messer.
"I can't imagine having to work and drive this," says motorist Dana Taylor.
Starting Saturday, drivers don't have to imagine.
Mercer Street has shrunk from four to just three lanes - and all lanes of traffic are being funneled onto what will eventually become the westbound lanes. That way Seattle street crews can start construction on the new eastbound lanes.
Council member Mike McQuaide insists it's a temporary inconvenience for permanent improvement for what he calls the city's hottest spot - South Lake Union.
"I'm thrilled, I'm excited about what's going to happen here," says McQuaide.
But here's the price - one less lane for traffic, plus drivers lose three streets to access Mercer from the south: Boren, Terry and Westlake.
"Putting everybody in only a couple streets - it's going to just stop," says motorist Chris Poppe.
Right now the Mercer Street exit on-ramp is closed - the city opened the off-ramp to accommodate the Seattle Boat Show traffic.
South Lake Union businesses are bracing for the traffic changes.
Erin Dodge worries about her customers navigating the construction cones. She says most of her customers are from out of town.
"That's only going to make things worse - I don't even know where we're suppose to go ... or how they are going to do this," says Dodge. "People are going to be turning around - it's going to be insane."
The city encourages carpooling, using transit and checking out its website with more details before drivers venture into the area.
"It wasn't great before, but it better be amazing, is all I can say," says Dodge.
The Mercer Street on-ramp will reopen for Monday's morning commute, but McQuaid suggests using the Eastlake exit and Highway 99 to help avoid some of the congestion.
This weekend drivers are getting another reminder that what's expected to be "the Gateway to the City" is still a work in progress.
It all adds up to more big changes for drivers this weekend and Monday morning.
Seattle motorists remember well the four eastbound lanes on Mercer Street and how they earned their Mercer Mess nickname.
Well, they can forget those memories because now it's even messer.
"I can't imagine having to work and drive this," says motorist Dana Taylor.
Starting Saturday, drivers don't have to imagine.
Mercer Street has shrunk from four to just three lanes - and all lanes of traffic are being funneled onto what will eventually become the westbound lanes. That way Seattle street crews can start construction on the new eastbound lanes.
Council member Mike McQuaide insists it's a temporary inconvenience for permanent improvement for what he calls the city's hottest spot - South Lake Union.
"I'm thrilled, I'm excited about what's going to happen here," says McQuaide.
But here's the price - one less lane for traffic, plus drivers lose three streets to access Mercer from the south: Boren, Terry and Westlake.
"Putting everybody in only a couple streets - it's going to just stop," says motorist Chris Poppe.
Right now the Mercer Street exit on-ramp is closed - the city opened the off-ramp to accommodate the Seattle Boat Show traffic.
South Lake Union businesses are bracing for the traffic changes.
Erin Dodge worries about her customers navigating the construction cones. She says most of her customers are from out of town.
"That's only going to make things worse - I don't even know where we're suppose to go ... or how they are going to do this," says Dodge. "People are going to be turning around - it's going to be insane."
The city encourages carpooling, using transit and checking out its website with more details before drivers venture into the area.
"It wasn't great before, but it better be amazing, is all I can say," says Dodge.
The Mercer Street on-ramp will reopen for Monday's morning commute, but McQuaid suggests using the Eastlake exit and Highway 99 to help avoid some of the congestion.
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