Other events happening in communities around Seattle that will likely generate more traffic include Magnolia’s Vino in the Village on Friday, and on Saturday Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill will be hopping with the Seattle Pride Picnic while there’ll be the Art on the Fly festival kicking off  in South Lake Union.

The Seattle Department of Transportation encourages motorists to plan ahead for  possible traffic delays, or better yet, consider parking the car and taking one of the many alternate modes of transportation available – Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or walk, if feasible.  For more information about the weekend ahead, please see the schedule below:

Friday, June 14
College of Built Environment Graduation:  4:30 – 6 p.m.
Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center
1,200 attending
Traffic may be heavy on streets surrounding the Center grounds.

Vino in the Village: 6 – 10 p.m.
Magnolia Village
320 expected
Streets closed from 6 – 10 p.m.:   32^nd Avenue W between W McGraw Street and W Lynn Street which may cause congestion on adjacent streets. http://magnoliachamber.org/magnolia-wine-walk/

Next Step- Pacific Northwest Ballet performance: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
McCaw Hall, Seattle Center
2,500 attending
Anticipate heavier traffic on Mercer Street and Fifth Avenue.

Bellevue College Commencement:  7:30 – 10 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
4,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic on west side of center.

Saturday, June 15
Seattle Pride Picnic: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Volunteer Park
2,000 attending
Expect congestion near the park.  http://www.seattlepride.org/pride-picnic.html

Festival Sundiata – Black Arts Fest 2013:  12 Noon – 6 p.m.
Armory Stage/Dance Floor, Seattle Center
800 attending
Traffic may be heavy on Fifth Avenue and Broad Street. http://www.festivalsundiata.org/#

Art on the Fly:  12 Noon – 9 p.m.
Street fair in the South Lake Union neighborhood
2,800 expected
Streets closed from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.: Terry Avenue N between Republican and Thomas streets. Expect congestion on surrounding streets.   http://www.phffft.org/art-on-the-fly/

University of Washington Commencement:  12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
30,000 attending
Traffic will likely be heavy around the stadium in the hour before and after the event.
http://www.washington.edu/graduation/ceremony/

City University Graduation:  1 – 3 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
5,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic on the west side of the Center grounds.

City University Presidents Reception:  3 – 5 p.m.
Seattle Center Pavilion
600 attending
Traffic may be somewhat heavy on Broad Street.

Annual Pacific Northwest Ballet School Performance:   1:30 – 4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m.
McCaw Hall, Seattle Center
2,000 attending each performance
Anticipate heavier traffic on Mercer Street and Fifth Avenue.

Sunday, June 16
Festival Sundiata – African-American Festival:  12 Noon – 6 p.m.
Armory Stage/Dance Floor, Seattle Center
900 attending
Traffic may be heavy on Fifth Avenue and on Broad Street.

Seattle University Graduation:  3 -5 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
18,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic on the west side of the center grounds.http://www.seattleu.edu/commencement/graduate/

All Star Softball Classic for Homeless Youth:  3- 7 p.m.
Safeco Field
8,000 expected
http://www.uwkc.org/news-events/event-calendar/softballclassic/

Construction Note:
10 p.m. Saturday night to 9 a.m. Sunday morning,  the Washington State Department of Transportation will close up to three lanes of  I – 5 southbound between Northgate and the Ship Canal Bridge while replacing pavement markings.

Contact:  Peg Nielsen, 206.684,8114

This coming weekend, Friday, June 7 through Monday, June 10, travelers may have their patience tested as they make their way around Seattle.  Events upcoming range from a protest march tomorrow afternoon in downtown Seattle;  briefcase, bicycle and walk/run races; numerous events at the Seattle Center including a Storm game, Rat City Rollergirls and the Seattle Pacific University Commencement ceremonies; the annual Glazer’s Camera PhotoFest; and Mariners games and a Sounders match.  Amidst the many events, there will also be major construction that will impact traffic.   Motorists are encouraged to carpool or use alternate modes of transportation – bicycle, walk or consider one of the several transit options available.  Transit information can be found at:
King County Metro at www.kingcounty.gov/metro, or by calling 206-553-3000
Sound Transit at www.soundtransit.org
Seattle Streetcar at http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/
Community Transit at www.commtrans.org
Seattle Water Taxi at http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/WaterTaxi.aspx

Friday, June 7
Protest for South Africa March:  3 – 6 p.m.
12^th and Yesler Way
100 – 200 participants
March route:   starts at 12^th Avenue and Yesler Way; moves west on Yesler to Fourth Avenue;  north on Fourth to Madison Street; west on Madison to Second Avenue at the Federal Building. Seattle Police will escort, but motorists can expect a rolling slowdown as the march moves along the planned route.

Fremont 5K and Briefcase Relay:  6 p.m. relay; 7 p.m. 5 K run and walk
N 34^th Avenue from Fremont Avenue N to Stone Way N
1,500 participants
 Streets closed from 5:45 p.m.  until 9 p.m.: N 34^th Street between Fremont Avenue N and Stone Way N for the Race route: starts at N 34^th Street east of Fremont Avenue N; east on 34^th to NE Pacific Street; east on Pacific to N 40^th Street; at 40^th Street participants veer onto the Burke-Gilman trail; head west on the trail to Stone Way N and N 34^th Street; west on 34^th to finish at Fremont Avenue N. 
Expect congestion in the area as motorists are detoured around race route.
http://www.promotionevents.com/Fremont/2011.htm

Seattle Storm vs. Tulsa Shock:  7 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
6,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic on the west side of the Seattle Center.

Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees:  7:10
30,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic in the vicinity surrounding the stadium before and after the game.

Pacific Northwest Ballet Performance:  7:30 – 10 p.m.
McCaw Hall
2,900 attending
Traffic may be heavy on Mercer before and after the performance.

Saturday, June 7
Glazer’s Camera Annual PhotoFest:  10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Eighth Avenue and Harrison Street
1,000 attending
Streets closed from 5 a.m. Saturday – 9 p.m. on Sunday:   Eighth Avenue N between Harrison and Republican streets. 
Expect congestion on surrounding streets.  http://www.glazerscamera.com/photofest

Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival:  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Amory Stage and Dance Floor
2,000 attending
Traffic may be slightly heavier on Fifth Avenue and on Broad Street.

Seattle Mini Maker Faire:  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Northwest Rooms, Seattle Center
3,000 expected
Expect heavier traffic on Mercer Street.

Seattle Scienc e Festival Expo Day: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fisher Pavilion and Center grounds
4,000 attending
Traffic may be heavier on Fifth Avenue and on Broad Street

Georgetown Carnival:  12 Noon – 8 p.m.
4,100 attending
Streets closed from 6 a.m. –  11:59 p.m.:  12^th Avenue S between S Vale and S Bailey streets; S  Nebraska Street  from Airport Way S west to the railroad tracks (approximately 200’); S Homer Street from Airport Way S west to the railroad tracks (approximately  200’).   http://www.georgetownmerchants.org/georgetown_carnival.html

Seattle Mariners  vs. New York Yankees:  1:10 start
Safeco Field
29,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic on streets surrounding the stadium before and after the game.

Second Ascent Ballard Criterium:  3:30 p.m.
Downtown Ballard;
600 expected
Streets closed from 2 – 10 p.m.: rectangular race course using Ballard Avenue NW, NW Dock Place, Shilshole Avenue NW, and NW Vernon Place.   http://www.theballardcrit.blogspot.com/

Rat City Rollergirls: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
5,000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on the west side of the Center grounds.

A Night at the 5th Gala:  6 p.m.
Fifth Avenue Theatre
550 attending
Streets closed from 5:45 – 11:30 p.m.: Two lanes of the east side of Fifth Avenue between Union Street and University Street during valet load and unload for auction event at theater.  Seattle Police will assist with traffic.  http://www.5thavenue.org/support/events-gala#a-night-at-the-5th-gala

Pacific Northwest Ballet Performance:  7:30 – 10 p.m.
McCaw Hall
2,900 attending
Traffic may be heavy on Mercer before and after the performance.

Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver Whitecaps:  7:30 p.m.
Qwest Field
 50,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic in the surrounding the stadium and on I-5 at I-90 and the Alaskan Way viaduct approaching the SODO area before and after the match.

Sunday, June 9
Seattle Mini Maker Faire:  10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Northwest Rooms, Seattle Center
3,000 expected
Expect heavier traffic on Mercer Street.

Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival:  10 a.m. –  6 p.m.
Amory Stage and Dance Floor
2,000 attending
Traffic may be slightly heavier on Fifth Avenue and on Broad Street.

Glazer’s Camera Annual PhotoFest:  12 Noon – 5 p.m.
Eighth Avenue and Harrison Street
1,000 attending
Streets closed from 5 a.m. Saturday – 9 p.m. on Sunday:   Eighth Avenue N between Harrison and Republican streets. 
Expect congestion on surrounding streets.  http://www.glazerscamera.com/photofest

Shore Run and Walk:  8 a.m. 5K (Leschi Marina); 9 p.m. 10K (S Ferdinand Street) 10:15 a.m. Kids’ half mile run
Vicinity of shore along Lake Washington
2,600 participants
Race route:  North along the shore of Lake Washington, using Lake Washington Boulevard and Lakeside Avenue, finishing in Madison Park.  The race route will be closed from 7:45 to 11 a.m. 
Motorists should plan on taking an alternate route during the race.  http://www.shorerun.com/

Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees:   1:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
31,000 expected
Expect heavy traffic in the vicinity surrounding the stadium before and after the game.

Seattle Pacific University Graduation Ceremonies:  2 – 5 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
10,000 attending 
Attendees are expected to start arriving when the doors open at 1 p.m.  Anticipate heavy traffic  throughout the area before and after the ceremony.
http://www.spu.edu/events/commencement/schedule.asp

Pacific Northwest Ballet Performance:  6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
McCaw Hall
2,900 attending
Traffic may be heavy on Mercer before and after the performance.

Construction projects to note:
June 7 – 10:  SDOT will close the I-5 on- and off-ramps at Mercer Street scheduled for this weekend as part of the Mercer Corridor Project.

Detour routes shown will be signed on roadways and may be heavily used, particularly Denny Way both eastbound and westbound. Detour maps available at: www.seattle.gov/Transportation/mercercorridor.htm.

Please note that all South Lake Union businesses will remain open and will be accessible via alternative routes. 

During these closures, the I-5 on-ramp at University Street will be concurrently closed to provide more efficient traffic flow around the closed Mercer Street exit lane. Fairview Avenue N will be restricted to freight, King County Metro transit, and local access only between Republican Street and Eastlake Avenue E and Mercer Street will be closed to through traffic between Westlake Avenue N and Fairview Avenue N. All detour routes will be clearly marked.

June 7 to 10: Sound Transit will close northbound Montlake Boulevard between  NE Pacific Street and NE Pacific Place over the weekend from 7 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday Please see traffic details at:  ulink@soundtransit.org.

June 8 and 9: Washington State Department of Transportation will close lanes on northbound I-5 on the Ship Canal Bridge Saturday and Sunday night.  For details, please see http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2011/09/08_Seattleweekendtraffic.htm

Contact:  Peg Nielsen, 206.684.8114

Closure hours will be from Friday at 11:00 p.m. to Monday at 5:00 a.m. During the closure, crews will be installing new drainage facilities, repairing the off-ramp roadway base, repaving and striping the off-ramp, installing guardrails on both ramps, and continuing the installation of sign bridges across the ramps. Please note that this work is dependent on weather and is subject to cancelation.

Due to multiple events in the Seattle area during this weekend, travelers are encourages to plan ahead and expect delays. Detour routes shown will be signed on roadways and may be heavily used, particularly Denny Way both eastbound and westbound. Detour route maps are available on the project website at: www.seattle.gov/Transportation/mercercorridor.htm.

Travelers are encouraged to carpool and use alternate modes of transportation. Transit information can be found at:

• King County Metro at www.kingcounty.gov/metro, or by calling 206-553-3000
• Sound Transit at www.soundtransit.org
• Seattle Streetcar at http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/
• Community Transit at www.commtrans.org

Please note that all South Lake Union businesses will remain open and will be accessible via alternative routes. 

During these closures, the I-5 on-ramp at University Street will be concurrently closed to provide more efficient traffic flow around the closed Mercer Street exit lane. Fairview Avenue N will be restricted to freight, King County Metro transit, and local access only between Republican Street and Eastlake Avenue E and Mercer Street will be closed to through traffic between Westlake Avenue N and Fairview Avenue N. All detour routes will be clearly marked.

More information on the Mercer Corridor Project is available at: www.seattle.gov/Transportation/ppmp_mercer.htm.

 Contact:  Richard Sheridan, 684-8540

###

Motorists traveling in the SODO area Wednesday, June 5, should plan ahead for traffic congestion. 

As early as 8:00 a.m., 4800 students will begin arriving from around the state for the annual Weather Education Day at Safeco Field.  Some 70 to 80 buses, of varying sizes, will be transporting the students and will park in the Safeco Parking Lot, along the Occidental Avenue S east curb next to the plaza, and along the Third Avenue S east curb between S Royal Brougham Way and S Holgate Street.  Access to Occidental and to Third Avenue will be restricted.  The students will also be dropped off by private cars and vans.  At 9:30 a.m. the gates will open to the stadium and at 10 a.m. Steve Pool will make an educational weather presentation.  Most of the students will stay on for the Mariners game against the White Sox at 12:40 p.m., but some buses may begin leaving as early 1 p.m.

Adding to the traffic mix will be some 18,000 fans arriving during the lunch hour before the 12:40 start of the game. 

In addition Terminal 46 activity is expected to be heavy, per usual for a Wednesday, so drivers are advised to avoid Edgar Martinez Drive South all day.  Alternate routes include:

·         Motorists can take the Forest Street exit from I-5 southbound to Sixth Avenue S to access SODO and parking locations east of the ballpark .

·         Northbound I-5 drivers coming into SODO can also take the exit to Spokane Street westbound,  then take the ramp to First Avenue S to access parking locations south        of the ballpark.

·         To access the International District and parking locations to the northeast of the ballpark, motorists can take the Dearborn Street exit from I-5 north or southbound.

·         Another access point to the International District is to take the Rainier Avenue exit from I-90.

·         To access Pioneer Square, downtown, and parking locations north of the ballpark, motorists can take the James Street exit  from I-5 southbound and northbound.

As the game wraps up around 4 p.m., just as the peak afternoon traffic is getting underway, traffic will likely be extra heavy throughout SODO and downtown Seattle.  To help alleviate traffic congestion, the Seattle Department of Transportation encourages motorists to park their cars and try one of the many alternate modes of transportation available such as Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, the Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or walk, if feasible. 

Contact: Peg Nielsen 206-684-8114                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Construction of the University of Washington Station’s pedestrian/bicycle bridge is ongoing. In order to continue building the bridge and restripe traffic lanes, the contractor will need to close traffic lanes and sidewalks on Montlake Blvd. between NE Pacific Street and NE Pacific Place. Please see traffic details below.

• Wednesday, June 5, 7:00 pm through Thursday, June  6, 3:00 am
• Thursday, June 6, 7:00 pm through Friday, June  7, 3:00 am
• Friday, June 7, 7:00 pm through Monday, June 10, 4:00 am 

Northbound on Montlake Blvd.

• All lanes northbound on Montlake Blvd. and the east sidewalk between NE Pacific Street and NE Pacific Place will be closed.
• To head northbound: Turn left on NE Pacific Street, right onto NE Pacific Place and turn left back onto Montlake Blvd. at the signal.
• Pedestrians/Bicyclists: Use the crosswalk and the west sidewalk between NE Pacific Street and Place.

Southbound on Montlake Blvd

• One southbound lane will be closed. The west sidewalk will be open between NE Pacific Street and NE Pacific Place.

For further information, please contact Sound Transit community outreach – Andrea Burnett at 206-398-5300 or ulink@soundtransit.org.

For issues that need immediate attention after normal business hours, call Sound Transit’s 24-hour construction hotline at (888) 298-2395.

• The right lane of southbound SR 99 will be restricted from Valley Street to Harrison Street on Monday, June 3, from approximately 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the closure, crews will install drainage remedies in the roadway to manage rainwater accumulation.
• Ninth Avenue N will have nighttime lane restrictions beginning the evening of Monday, June 3, as crews work to install water main and storm water utilities at the intersection of Ninth Avenue N and Broad Street. One lane in each direction will be maintained on Ninth Avenue N from Mercer Street to just north of Broad Street during work hours. Work will occur on weeknights from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for approximately one week. Please note, Ninth Avenue N will be re-opened during the day to accommodate higher traffic volumes.

Mariners vs. Texas Rangers: 7:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
33,000 attending
Motorists can expect heavy traffic before and after the game.

Sunday, May 26

Northwest Folklife Festival: 11 a.m. – 10 p. m.
Seattle Center;
25,000 expected
Streets surrounding Seattle Center will be used for production staging through Tuesday, May 28; expect congestion in the area.  

Mariners vs. Texas Rangers:   1:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
24,000 attending
Motorists can expect heavy traffic before and after the game.

Monday, May 27
Homeless Veteran’s Day:  12 Noon – 4 p.m.
Free BBQ at Bread of Life Mission
2,500 attending
Street closed 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.: S Main Street between Alaskan Way S and  First Avenue S.  Motorists should anticipate congestion on surrounding streets in Pioneer Square.

Northwest Folklife Festival: 11 a.m. – 9 p. m.
Seattle Center;
25,000 expected
Streets surrounding Seattle Center will be used for production staging from now on through Tuesday, May 28; expect congestion in the area.  

Mariners vs. San Diego Padres:   1:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
20,000 attending
Motorists can expect heavy traffic before and after the game.

Contact: Peg Nielsen, 206.684.8114

Northbound freight haulers and drivers heading to the Port of Seattle can reach their destination by following a signed detour on First Avenue South. The next northbound SR 99 off-ramp north of East Marginal Way South is Seneca Street.

Closure details

• 9 p.m. Thursday, May 23 until 5 a.m. Friday, May 24 – The northbound SR 99 off-ramp to East Marginal Way South will be closed.
• Detour: First Avenue South to South Hanford Street to East Marginal Way South.

The old timber supported section of Highway 99 located just south of the West Seattle Bridge was built as a temporary bridge over the railroad tracks in 1956. Replacement work to rebuild one half of the bridge at a time began in February 2013 and wraps up in June 2014.

Bridge girders form the backbone of the bridge by supporting the deck and roadway lengthwise from underneath. Each of the 73-ton girders is 3 feet wide, nearly 5 feet tall and 155 feet long.

Construction progress information, including a project map and photos are available here or go to www.wsdot.wa.gov and search “SR 99 timber bridge.”

Contact:  Broch Bender, WSDOT communications, 206-440-4699 (Shoreline)

Contact:  Peg Nielsen, 206-684-8114

 Contact:  Peg Nielsen, 206.684.8114