Traffic: Hwy. 99 closed through downtown Seattle this weekend

SEATTLE - Both northbound and southbound lanes of State Route 99 through downtown Seattle are closed to traffic this weekend.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officially closed northbound SR 99, between South Nevada Street and South Royal Brougham Way, just before 8:00a.m. Drivers can still access the ramp from the West Seattle Bridge to northbound SR 99.

Earlier this morning, all lanes of southbound SR 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and South Nevada Street also closed. WSDOT advises drivers the Columbia Street on-ramp to southbound SR 99 is closed to traffic as well.

The weekend closures will allow crews to reconfigure traffic and get ready to tear down and rebuild a 450-foot elevated section of the road south of South Spokane Street.

Both directions of SR 99 will reopen in time for the Monday morning commute.