Q: Downtown Seattle resident Albert Berger is the first to question this reporter about recent closure of the Broad Street exit from the southbound lanes of Aurora Avenue North. It appears, he says, that there's construction equipment in the ramp blocking the exit. What gives?

A: A private contractor has been issued a street-use permit from Seattle's transportation department for major utility work resulting in the closure of the Broad Street exit, says transportation department spokeswoman Marybeth Turner. It's part of a nearby development, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation building near Seattle Center. Traffic is being diverted to the Denny Way exit.

The transportation department required the contractor to open the Broad Street ramp for detouring traffic when the Alaskan Way Viaduct was closed for a recent weekend inspection.

According to the current schedule, the contractor is supposed to finish the work in mid-January.