Are we having fun yet? If you happened to get stuck in this weekend’s traffic around Lower Queen Anne as well as up and over Upper Queen Anne (Taylor was a non-stop stream of cars heading uphill this evening) – brace yourself.

Stuck in Mercer traffic?

Take a deep breath and envision the future…

Not only will the same eastbound Mercer and 99/Aurora closures be in effect next weekend (unless SDOT and WSDOT have pity on us and cancel them until after the holidays…), but we also have weekday Mercer closures all this week and next week too.

That’s right. Mercer messiness right up through December 20th. Not such bad news for those holiday shopping procrastinators, but those going to PNB’s Nutcracker and other events at Seattle Center will be impacted, not to mention all of us who live in the neighborhood.

The nighttime lane restrictions will be in effect from 9pm to 5am weekday evenings from Monday, December 9th through Friday, December 2oth (with a full eastbound Mercer closure next weekend). Two lanes on eastbound Mercer Street will be re-opened to traffic during the day.

Here’s the rundown from SDOT – click the dates to see the detour routes. Uh… Happy Holidays?

Dec. 9-13: Eastbound Mercer Street lane restriction at 5th Avenue North

Beginning the evening of Monday, Dec. 9, eastbound traffic on Mercer Street between 4th and 5th Avenues will be restricted to one lane during the night as crews work to install an underground storm water detention system under the roadway.

Eastbound traffic on Mercer Street will be required to turn right on 5th Ave N and re-connect to eastbound Mercer via Harrison and eastbound Broad streets.

Northbound and southbound 5th Ave N will remain open to traffic.

Mercer Street east of 5th Ave N will remain open to traffic.

Dec. 16-20: Eastbound Mercer Street closed between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N

Beginning the evening of Monday, Dec. 16, eastbound Mercer Street between 5th Ave N and Dexter Ave N will be fully closed to traffic during the night as crews continue to install an underground storm water detention system and lateral storm water connection lines under the roadway.