There are several events coming up this weekend, but two on Saturday could delay motorists if they don’t plan ahead.

On Saturday, June 22, the Rock N Roll Marathon and Half Marathon will get under way at 7 a.m. and conclude at around 3 p.m. The course winds from the Seattle Center through the city, across Lake Washington, back on I-90’s express lanes and ends on center grounds.

With 20,000 participants following the 13- and 26-mile courses, streets will be closed and reopened as participants move along. Streets near the center, such as Mercer Street and Fifth Avenue, will be closed from midnight on Friday into the morning in preparation for the event. Additionally, the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed northbound from 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. From the morning into early afternoon, other key closures include the I-5 and I-90 ramps at Columbia, Dearborn and Rainier; the I-90 express lanes; Broad Street; the downtown core from Second Avenue to Fifth Avenue; Rainer Avenue S and Lake Washington Boulevard. Additional details with maps are available at: http://seattle.competitor.com .

To avoid combining with potential marathon traffic impacts, the ever-popular Fremont Solstice Parade will move its start time and officially kick off Seattle’s summer at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. With streets closing at 2:30 p.m., some 22,000 people are expected to line the parade route which begins at N 36^th Street and Leary Way; moves eastbound on Leary to Fremont Place N; south and east on Fremont Place N to Fremont Avenue N; south on Fremont Avenue to N 34^th Street; east on 34^th to Stone Way N; south on Stone Way N to N Northlake Way; eastbound on Northlake Way to Gasworks Park where participants will disperse. For more details please see the Solstice event website at: http://fremontartscouncil.org .

Motorists should expect heavy traffic on streets surrounding both events. The Seattle Department of Transportation urges motorists to consider parking the car and taking one of the many alternate modes of transportation available – Metro Transit, the West Seattle Water Taxi, Sounder commuter train, Link light rail, car pool, bicycle or walk, if feasible.

Contact:  Peg Nielsen, SDOT, 206.684.8114

Karen Zaugg Black 206. 733.9810

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has found the goats to be very effective in controlling overgrowth because they can easily browse on steep slopes that are difficult for crews to access, quickly clearing an area of thick brush and allowing SDOT to avoid the use of herbicides.

The goat wrangler from Rent a Ruminant, http://www.rentaruminant.com, transported the herd in a trailer by ferry from their home on Vashon Island.

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

From June 1 until June 28, Sixth Avenue South is closed to through traffic at South Jackson Street. Right turns are permitted from north- and southbound Sixth Avenue South to South Jackson Street as well as from east- and westbound South Jackson Street to Sixth Avenue South.

From June 7 until June 12, the south leg of the Occidental Avenue South and South Jackson Street intersection will be closed to traffic.

From June 8 until July 3, Maynard Avenue South will be closed to through traffic at South Jackson Street. Right turns will be permitted from north- and southbound Maynard Avenue South to South Jackson Street as well as from east- and westbound South Jackson Street to Maynard Avenue South.

From June 17 until June 20, the south leg of the Second Avenue South and South Jackson Street intersection will be closed to traffic.

Advance warning signage will be displayed to assist drivers traveling through these intersections, and local access, pedestrian access, and access to businesses will be maintained.

When complete, the First Hill Streetcar line will have ten stations along a two and one-half mile route, from South Jackson Street and Occidental Avenue South to Broadway and Denny Way. The City of Seattle is developing the First Hill Streetcar in partnership with Sound Transit, with funding provided through the 2008 voter approved Sound Transit 2 (ST2) transit expansion plan.  Completion is planned for mid- 2014. For further information, visit the project Website at www.seattlestreetcar.org.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

• 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.

Bike to Work Month wraps tomorrow with a huge gathering at Ballard’s Bergen Place and on adjacent streets. Coupled with the annual Ballard Summer Streets event, the party celebrates the month and encourages more people to bike and participate in healthy active transportation.  On Saturday, the Roosevelt Neighborhood Parade and the Eucharistic Adoration on Beacon Hill will cause rolling slowdowns on neighborhood streets. Later on Saturday, fans will be swarming to the Kenny Chesney No Shoes Nation Tour at CenturyLink Field.  On Sunday morning, the 20^th annual Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure will impact to traffic as 13,500 participants fill the streets. The one – mile and 5 K race route will be closed to traffic for much of the morning.  Motorists should make their travel plans with these events in mind.

Please see the following schedule for all the details:

Friday, May 31
Bike to Work and Summer Streets Party:  3:30 – 7 p.m.
Bergen Place in Ballard
825 attending
Streets closed from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.: 22^nd Avenue NW in Ballard from NW Market Street to Ballard Avenue NW.  http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/summer_ballard.htm

Saturday, June 1
Roosevelt Neighborhood Parade:  2 – 4 p.m.
NE 68^th Street and 12^th Avenue NE and Roosevelt High parking lot
220 participants
Parade route: Starts at NE 68^th Street and  12^th Avenue NE; west on 68^th to Roosevelt Way NE; south on Roosevelt to NE 64^th Street; east on 64^th to 12^th Avenue NE; north on 12^th to NE 69^th Street; east on 69^th to 15^th Avenue NE; north on 15^th to NE 70^th Street; east on 70^th to 20^th Avenue NE; south on 20^th to NE 68^th Street; west on 68^th to 15^th Avenue NE; south on 15^th to NE 66^th Street; west on 66^th to 12^th Avenue NE; north on 12^th into the Roosevelt High School parking lot; Seattle Police will escort.  Motorists can expect a rolling slowdown as the parade makes its way along streets in the Roosevelt district.

Kenny Chesney concert at CenturyLink Field:  4 – 11 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
40,000
Motorists should anticipate congestion on the surrounding streets before and after the concert.

Eucharistic Adoration:  5 – 6 p.m.
Vietnamese Martyrs Parish (1230 E Fir Street)
1,500 participants
Procession route:  on streets around Vietnamese Martyrs Parish.  Seattle Police will escort.
Drivers can expect a rolling slowdown as the procession moves along the neighborhood streets.

Sunday, June 2
2013 Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure:   Races start 8 and continue through 9 a.m.
Mercer Street and Third Avenue N (gathering site)
13,500 participants
5 K route:  Starts at Mercer Street and Third Avenue N moving east on Mercer to Fifth Avenue N; south on Fifth to Cedar Street; west on Cedar to Second Avenue; south on Second to Spring Street; makes a u-turn at Spring and heads north on Second to Thomas Street.
1 mile route:  Starts at Mercer Street and Third Avenue; moves east on Mercer to Fifth Avenue N; south on Fifth to Cedar Street; west on Cedar to Second Avenue; north on Second to Thomas Street.
Streets closed: Mercer Street from Third to Fifth Avenue N. from 6:30 – 11 a.m.  Fifth Avenue N, Cedar Street and Second Avenue from 7:30 – 11 a.m.  Participants are encouraged to travel via Metro Transit and the Sound Transit Link light rail to Westlake and then take the Monorail to the Seattle Center.  The Monorail will be running every ten minutes starting at 7 a.m.
http://www.komenpugetsound.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/

Note:  Major closures for construction work over the weekend
SR 520 from Montlake to I – 405 will be closed to traffic from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.
S Jackson Street and 6^th Avenue S  partial intersection closure for First Hill Streetcar project – Sixth Avenue South will be closed to through traffic at South Jackson Street. Right turns will be permitted from north- and southbound Sixth Avenue to Jackson Street as well as from east – and westbound South Jackson Street to Sixth Avenue South.

The ramps will be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Monday. During the closure, crews will install new drainage facilities, repair the off-ramp roadway base, repave and stripe the off-ramp, install guardrails on both ramps, and continue the installation of the sign bridges across the ramps.  Please note that this work is dependent on weather and is subject to cancellation.

Due to multiple events in the Seattle area during this weekend, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead and expect delays. Detour routes 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.

During these closures, the I-5 on-ramp at University Street will also be closed to provide more efficient traffic flow around the closed Mercer Street exit lane. Fairview Avenue North will be restricted between Republican Street and Eastlake Avenue East to freight and local access, and Mercer Street will be closed to through traffic between Westlake Avenue North and Fairview Avenue North.

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. 

More information on the Mercer Corridor Project is available at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/mercercorridor.htm.  

Contact:  Peg Nielsen, 206-684-8114