Two sections of Northeast Eighth Street, just west of downtown will be shut down to traffic during separate closures in September and October. The first, a five-day closure, begins Monday, Sept. 21; the second closure will last for 30 days.

Both street closures are part of a project to build new sidewalks along Northeast Eighth Street, from 96th Avenue Northeast to Lake Washington Blvd. The closures are needed so workers can place pipes beneath the roadway at the same time the sidewalks are installed in order to minimize disruptions.

· Five-day closure beginning Sept. 21: Northeast Eighth Street will be closed from 96th to 92nd Avenue Northeast, beginning Monday, Sept. 21, and ending Friday, Sept. 25. During that time crews will install a 48-inch diameter detention pipe needed to store additional storm water runoff resulting from the new sidewalks. Detour signs will be in place to guide motorists. Local and emergency access to properties in the closure area will be provided.

· Thirty-day closure beginning in late September: Northeast Eighth Street will close again, this time from 92nd Avenue to Lake Washington Blvd., starting in late September or early October and lasting for approximately 30 days. The exact dates will depend on the weather and on construction activities. Closure information will be posted on signs before the work commences. This closure is needed to replace a 10-inch diameter pipe that supplies drinking water. Again, the detour route will be posted and local access will be provided.

Drivers are reminded to look for message signs near the construction area that contain closure information, and to obey detour signs for the safety of workers and others.