Posted on May 8 2016 2:07 PM

Update posted at 7:45 p.m.

The Alaskan Way Viaduct is now open in both directions.

Tunneling progress

Seattle Tunnel Partners has installed 49 rings since mining resumed last week. Crews have excavated 318 feet of the approximately 385 feet of tunnel to be completed beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Visit our tracking page to see a map showing Bertha’s progress.

Successful tunnel drive means an early opening for SR 99 through Seattle After 10 days of around-the-clock tunneling, Bertha’s biggest hurdle is now behind her. That hurdle – the Alaskan Way Viaduct she was built to replace – will reopen for the Monday morning commute, bringing an early end to the much-anticipated closure.

Structural engineers with the Washington State Department of Transportation completed a thorough inspection of the viaduct on Sunday. Their inspection confirmed what a team of engineers observed throughout the past 10 days of tunneling: continued stability of the ground and the viaduct.

By Friday, the machine had successfully tunneled through complex soils only 15 feet below the viaduct’s foundation – the closest the machine will come to any structure at any point in its drive beneath Seattle. On Sunday, STP completed installation of the rings beneath this critical location, clearing the way for the final inspection and the early opening of the highway. WSDOT’s 24-hour command center will remain open until the machine has successfully tunneled 385 feet, the distance at which it will be completely clear of the viaduct.

Tunneling progress

Seattle Tunnel Partners has installed 47 rings and excavated 312 feet of the approximately 385 feet of tunnel to be completed beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Crews continue to work around the clock to tunnel, build rings and perform ongoing machine maintenance.

Visit our tracking page to see a map showing Bertha’s progress.

WSDOT worked closely with Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Police Department, King County Metro, King County Water Taxi, Sound Transit, Community Transit and the Port of Seattle to keep traffic moving and provide travel options during the closure.

We are extremely grateful to those commuters that shifted their travel routes and timing during the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. Every person that chose alternate transportation helped to reduce traffic regionally. Thank you for all your efforts.

Here’s what you need to know about transportation service revisions in the next few days.

Water Taxi resumes regular service Tuesday morning, May 10

The King County Water Taxi will continue additional parking options at West Seattle (PDF) and additional sailings on the Vashon route (PDF) through the end of the day on Monday, May 9.

Regular West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi service will start Tuesday morning, May 10.

Metro Transit returns to regular routing Monday, May 9

King County Metro Transit service will resume regular routing via the Alaskan Way Viaduct with the start of service Monday morning. At that time, the bus stop on Columbia Street at Second Avenue will also reopen.

Current surface street reroutes through SODO and temporary stops remain in effect for the remainder of Sunday, May 8.

Restrictions on city streets lifted for Monday morning commute