SEATTLE -- Twenty-thousand commuters used it daily, but now Seattle's South Park Bridge is closed - forever.
Commuters began their first morning commute without the bridge as an option Thursday morning. And the closure was already causing headaches for drivers.
During the Wednesday morning commute, the South Park Bridge closure caused major backups on northbound 99 at West Marginal Way. Traffic was backed up out of SeaTac and even along 509 from Cloverdale all the way to the First Avenue South Bridge.
"It's going to be a tough drive. We're already looking at a huge jam factor coming out of SeaTac," said Tracy Taylor, KING 5 Traffic. "That's not going to be very much fun at all."
Drivers were taking a few alternative routes to avoid the traffic jam: Des Moines Memorial Drive, Tukwila International Blvd. or Boeing Access Road onto I-5.
For a commuter to be caught unaware, they'd have to not only ignored a lot of media coverage, but also ignore several signs on the approach to the bridge on both sides.
If they actually continue all the way to the bridge, on the Boeing side they'd be greeted by not only by barricades and an open drawbridge, but a squad car as well.
The bridge did get a nice send off Wednesday night as hundreds of people gathered for a good old fashioned wake in its honor. There was music and a good dose of sentimentality as people gathered to say goodbye to the 79-year old structure.
Now, as the first day of the closure begins, many will be watching closely to see just how badly the closure will impact businesses in the South Park area.
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