Latest change to ‘Mercer Mess’ could mess up traffic

The latest change to Seattle’s “Mercer Mess” will likely mess up traffic in a different way.

               A new detour is in place that could surprise drivers going east from the waterfront toward Interstate 5.

               Instead of the four lanes people have driven for decades on the stretch, they'll be shifted over to new lanes that workers have been building over the past several months.

The detour starts at Eighth Street where orange barrels and barricades push drivers over to the new lanes of traffic.

               One change drivers will notice is there are now three lanes instead of four.

               Drivers can expect some big delays as people get used to the change.

               Although it's been reported that the construction project will fix the gridlock of the Mercer Mess, Seattle transportation officials said traffic congestion there is not likely to improve, even after they turn Mercer Street into a two-way boulevard, because there won’t be any new lane capacity.

               Instead, the six-lane boulevard is designed to be a smoother, more appealing transition from the freeway. It will be more bike and pedestrian friendly, too.

               Before the project is finished, drivers will have to endure more construction detours and delays.

               The $164 million project isn't expected to be completed until sometime next year.