A one-mile stretch of road will narrow to two lanes during peak commutes.

Drivers and commuters should plan ahead for construction work that will reduce both directions of State Route 99/Aurora Avenue North by one lane between the Aurora Bridge and just north of Mercer Street. The median lanes in each direction will close for four to five weeks starting Monday evening, Jan. 18.

Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation need access to the median lanes to build four large sign foundations for the future SR 99 tunnel. This work was originally scheduled for spring 2015 but changed to January 2016 to lessen the traffic disruption. Winter months typically see lower traffic volumes.

?These signs require sturdy, concrete-encased pedestals along with communication lines, power lines and traffic sensors, which is why the construction work in the median will take at least four weeks,? said David Sowers, deputy administrator of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program. ?We understand this will inconvenience drivers and commuters, and we are working closely with King County Metro and the Seattle Department of Transportation to minimize traffic impacts as much as possible.?

During the first phase of this two-phase project, when the median lanes are closed, the southbound bus-only lane will open to all traffic. Drivers should use caution since buses will travel ? and stop ? in the lane with other vehicle traffic.

Closure details:

Jan. 18 through mid-February
? Median lanes close in both directions between the Aurora Bridge and Highland Drive, north of Mercer Street
? An additional lane will close at night and during several weekends including Jan. 23-24

Mid-February through early March
? Median lanes reopen. Northbound traffic returns to normal pattern
? The southbound curb lane near Comstock Street will close for approximately three weeks
? An additional southbound lane may close at night

WSDOT encourages drivers and bus riders to plan ahead as additional congestion is expected on Aurora Avenue North. Consider alternative travel modes such as ride-sharing or carpooling, or traveling in off-peak times. Keep informed by using King County Metro?s rider alerts or trip planning tools as well as WSDOT?s travel tools and SDOT?s travelers information page.

From Janice on Nextdoor

Last night my dog alerted me to a prowler in my front yard around 3:30. I saw an African American male age 20-30, about 5’8″, average to slender build, short dark hair, grey jacket, dark clothing with a small black bag just inside the gate to my front yard. He had a flashlight and seemed to be looking for something on the ground. I called 911 and stayed on the phone with the dispatcher for about 15 minutes while waiting for Officers to arrive. I think 3-4 cars showed up. While on the phone with the dispatcher my dog went downstairs to the door to my back yard and barked. The prowler was found in my fenced back yard. He told the officer that he was charging his cell phone. As far as I know nothing was taken from my property. I agreed to file charges and appear in court. The prowler was arrested.
This morning I found he had left doors open to my tool shed, an outdoor cabinet and the door to an equipment room. I’m proud of my dog for alerting me to this prowler. Without her loud angry barking I would not have known anyone was in my yard and the prowler would not have been arrested. Happy New Year. Be safe.

All are invited to a community meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 6th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at the Magnolia United Church of Christ, (3555 West McGraw Street).? A “Crime Safety Meeting,” this is a city-wide community meeting about “crime” in general. Magnolia Patrol, news media, and community leaders from around the city (including elected officials, police and other groups), will be in attendance.? Click here to register to attend.

The GU-14 Magnolia Green Wave capped an undefeated season with their second straight SYSA City Tournament championship on Saturday, Dec. 19^th with a 2-1 tightly contested victory over the LVR Dream Team.  In a rematch of the 2014 finals, Grace Eaton provided the winning goal with just under a minute left in stoppage time for the thrilling victory.

The Green Wave finished off their second straight undefeated season with a 10-0-0 record during the regular season and a 5-0 record in the tournament.

The GU-14 Magnolia Green Wave capped an undefeated season with their second straight SYSA City Tournament championship on Saturday, Dec. 19^th with a 2-1 tightly contested victory over the LVR Dream Team.? In a rematch of the 2014 finals, Grace Eaton provided the winning goal with just under a minute left in stoppage time for the thrilling victory.

The Green Wave finished off their second straight undefeated season with a 10-0-0 record during the regular season and a 5-0 record in the tournament.