All eastbound lanes of SR 518 near Sea-Tac Airport will be closed between Aug. 25-28 to replace a damaged girder on the 24th Ave South bridge, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced.

The left lane of westbound SR 518 also will close during the last of two consecutive weekends of work.

Beginning at 9 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 25, through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28, all eastbound lanes of the highway will close between SR 509 and SR 99/International Boulevard. The left lane of westbound SR 518 will close near the 24th Avenue South bridge. A signed detour will be available for eastbound SR 518 traffic, but people should expect delays and consider alternate routes.

This work will affect people going to Sea-Tac airport from SR 509 or the Burien area, while those going to the airport from the Interstate 5 corridor should see minimal delays related to construction.

Eastbound SR 518 detour

Eastbound SR 518 traffic will detour around the closure using Des Moines Memorial Drive South, South 156th Way, South 154th Street and SR 99/International Boulevard to the eastbound SR 518 on-ramp. People leaving on flights or meeting someone at the airport this weekend should plan for extra travel time.

Bridge girder replacement

The 24th Avenue South bridge was struck in 2020 by an eastbound vehicle with an over-height load, severely damaging the girder. 

Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will replace the damaged girder and rebuild the driving surface. The damaged girder was removed during a similar weekend closure Aug. 18-21, and now a new girder must be lifted into place Aug. 25-28. The 24th Avenue South bridge will remain closed to vehicle traffic throughout the project, which will conclude this fall. A signed detour is available, though a shoulder remains open to pedestrians, bicyclists and people using other mobility devices.

Real-time travel information is available via the WSDOT mobile app, the WSDOT Travel Center Map, or by signing up for WSDOT’s email updates.

Since 2007, The B-Town Blog is Burien’s multiple award-winning hyperlocal news/events website dedicated to independent journalism.