It's nearly here -- Seattle's 'Carmageddon' starts Friday morning

SEATTLE -- Predictions and warnings of traffic gridlock in Seattle abound as the state prepares to close the Alaskan Way Viaduct for two weeks beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

The closure is taking place so that the boring machine Bertha can dig beneath the structure to create the highway tunnel that will eventually replace the aging viaduct along Seattle's waterfront.

A local traffic data company says the next two weeks won't be fun for drivers. The usual hour-long trip on Interstate 5 may take 90 minutes or more -- a 50% longer commute. The affected area stretches from the SR 520 Bridge to the north and south and to the West Seattle Bridge and Spokane Street.

Q13 News' Chris Francis has more in this video report: