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

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Beginning Saturday, June 1, and continuing until Friday, July 19, 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.

From Saturday, June 8, until Friday, June 14, Maynard Avenue South will be closed to through traffic at South Jackson Street. Right turns will be permitted at this intersection.

From Saturday, June 15, until Friday, June 21, Seventh Avenue South will be closed to through traffic at South Jackson Street. Right turns will be permitted at this intersection.                                                                                               

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 10 stations along a 2.5-mile route from Jackson and Occidental to Broadway and Denny. The streetcar will serve employment centers, educational institutions, entertainment, cultural and sports venues, and residential neighborhoods while enhancing access to regional rail service like Link Light rail and Sounder trains. Once operational, approximately 3,000 riders each day are expected to use the First Hill line. It will provide service from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, running at 10-minute intervals during peak and every 15 minutes at other times. A trip from Pioneer Square to the future Link Light rail station on Capitol Hill is anticipated to take just under 20 minutes.

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 spring 2014.

For further information, visit the project website at www.seattlestreetcar.org.

Contact:  Marybeth Turner, 206-684-8548

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)

For more details and traffic impacts, please see the following schedule of events and construction activities.

Friday, May 17
Norwegian 17^th of May Parade:  6 p.m. (start of parade)
Starts at 24^th Avenue NW and NW 62^nd Street
4,500 expected
Parade route: south on 24^th to NW Market St; east on Market to 22^nd Avenue NW; south on 22^nd to Ballard Avenue NW; participants disperse north and south on Ballard Avenue NW.
Parade staging from 4:30 – 6 p.m. on streets around Adams Elementary School located at 26^th Avenue NW and  NW 62^ndStreet.   Plan on street closures and find alternate routes.  22^nd Avenue NW will be closed from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. http://www.17thofmay.org/parade.html

Ballard Bike Street Party:  4 – 7 p.m.
22nd Avenue NW between Market Street and Ballard Avenue NW and Bergen Place Park
800 expected
Street closed from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. :  22^nd Avenue NW http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/summer_ballard.htm

Seattle Storm vs. Tulsa Preseason Game:  7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Key Arena
6,000 attending
Expect congestion on west side of the Seattle Center before and after the game.

Saturday, May 18                      
Seattle University School of Law Graduation:  6 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
6,000 attending
All day event; expect congestion on streets surrounding the center grounds.

Seattle’s Best 15K & 10K:  7:30 – 11 a.m.
Starts and ends at Gas Works Park
1,000 participants
Run/walk  route is counter clockwise around Lake Union, using sidewalks, bike trails and some streets going from Gas Works Park, then on the Lake Union Loop Trail and along the Ship Canal back to the park; Seattle Police will assist runners through major intersections; drivers should expect a rolling slowdown as runners make their way along the route.Please see http://www.seattle15k.com/ for route detail.

Celebration Birth of Buddha Parade: start time: 9 a.m.
Starts at Hing Hay Park (Maynard Avenue S and S King Street)
900 expected
Parade route: Starts at Maynard Avenue S and  S. King Street; heads north on King to 12^th Avenue S; north on 12^th to S Jackson Street; east on S Jackson Street to the Red Apple Supermarket parking lot at 23^rd Avenue S.; Seattle Police will escort. Expect traffic impacts along the parade route. from 7 – 11:30 a.m.

44^th Annual University District Street Fair:  10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Ave
25,000 expected per day
Streets closed from 2:30 a.m. on Saturday to 2:30 a.m. on Monday: University Way. NE between NE 50^th Street and NE Campus Parkway; NE 47^th Street, NE 43^rd Street, NE 42^nd Street, and NE 41^st Street between 15^th Avenue NE and Brooklyn Avenue NE; event hours Motorists should plan on congestion throughout the area.   http://udistrictstreetfair.org/

Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas:  7:30 – 9 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
38,000
Expect heavy traffic around the stadium before and after the match.

Sunday, May 19
Nordstrom Beat the Bridge 8K Run & Walk: 8:30 – 11 a.m.
Starts on Montlake Boulevard NE and NE Pacific – ends at Husky Stadium
11,500
Closed for Staging at 7:30 a.m.: Montlake Boulevard NE between NE 44^th Street and NE Pacific Street
8K route: Starts at Montlake Boulevard NE and NE Pacific; moves  south on Montlake across Montlake Bridge to E Roanoke Street; west on Roanoke to W Montlake Place E; south on W Montlake (Place)  to 19^th Avenue E; south on 19^th to E Lynn Street; west on Lynn to Boyer Avenue E; northwest on Boyer to Fuhrman Avenue E; northwest on Fuhrman to the University Bridge, north across bridge to Lincoln Way NE; east on Lincoln to Brooklyn Avenue NE; south on Brooklyn to NE Pacific Street; east on Pacific to NE Pacific Place; east on Pacific (Place) to Montlake Boulevard NE; north on Montlake to NE 44^th Street; u-turn and finish in Husky Stadium.   University Bridge goes up at about 8:50 a.m. and stays up for approximately 5 minutes.  http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR/Walk-Blueprint/Chapter-JDRFNorthwest4700?pg=informational&fr_id=2215&type=fr_informational&sid=1082
Drivers planning trips through the Montlake area should plan ahead for the closure of the Montlake Bridge on Sunday morning. The off-ramp to Montlake from eastbound SR 520 will remain open, but drivers will be held back while runners pass through.

Franklin High School Art Festival:  7 a.m – 5 p.m.
S Mt. Baker Boulevard adjacent to Franklin High School
250 expected
Event will close eastbound S Mt. Baker Boulevard between 30^th Avenue S and 32^nd Avenue S from 7 a.m.  to 5 p.m.
Expect congestion on surrounding streets.

West Seattle 5K Run and  Walk:  9:20 a.m.
Down Alki Avenue and back
1,600 participants
Route: starts on Alki Avenue SW at 60^th Avenue SW; moves east on Alki to Anchor Park (1100 Alki Avenue SW), makes a u-turn and back to starting point at 60^th. http://westseattle5k.com/  Alki Avenue SW between 63^rd Avenue SW and 56^th Avenue SW will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Motorists should anticipate congestion on surrounding streets.

Madrona Mayfair Parade:  9:30 a.m.  (approximately 15 minutes in length)
Children’s parade in the Madrona neighborhood;
500 participants
Parade route: Starts south on 34^th Avenue between Al Larkin Park (E Pike Street) to Madrona Park (E Spring Street); Seattle Police will escort. 
Motorists will encounter a rolling slowdown as parade moves along.

44^th Annual University District Street Fair:  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Ave
25,000 expected per day
Streets closed from 2:30 a.m. on Saturday to 2:30 a.m. on Monday: University Way. NE between NE 50^th Street and NE Campus Parkway; NE 47^th Street, NE 43^rd Street, NE 42^nd Street, and NE 41^st Street between 15^th Avenue NE and Brooklyn Avenue NE; event hours Motorists should plan on congestion throughout the area http://udistrictstreetfair.org/

Summer Streets – West Seattle:  11 a.m.  – 5 p.m.
Alki Avenue SW from 56^th Avenue SW – 63^rd Avenue SW
1,525 expected
Alki Avenue SW between 63^rd Avenue SW and 56^th Avenue SW will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. will be closed to traffic for the street party from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Motorists should expect congestion and plan on being detoured around the street party area.  The Water Taxi will continue to operate; Don Armeni Boat Ramp will be open.  http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/summer_alki.htm

West Seattle Bee Garden Parade: start time: 11:30a.m.
West Seattle Elementary School (31^st Avenue SW and SW Holly Street)
450 participants
Parade route: starts at West Seattle Elementary School at 31^st SW and SW Holly Street; heads north on 31st to Lanham Place SW; north on Lanham to SW Graham Street; east on Graham into High Point Commons Park; Seattle Police will escort. 
Event will close 31^st Avenue SW between SW Graham Bataan Place SW from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  http://www.westseattlebeegarden.com/events.html

Construction and Maintenance work to plan around:
May 16 – 24:   Eastbound N 80th Street closed between Greenwood Avenue N and Aurora Avenue N for concrete panel replacement.  Work is taking place Tuesdays through Saturdays.

May 17 – 20: Major construction on the Mercer West project begins.  SR99 and Mercer Street closed from 11p.m. Friday night to 5a.m. Monday morning.  The South Lake Union Streetcar system will also be closed for the weekend.
May 19 – 20: The Montlake Bridge will also be closed from 10 p.m. on Sunday until 5 a.m. on Monday for Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance work. http://wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/King/Construction/KingCountyConstruction.htm

Contact:  Peg Nielsen, peg.nielsen@seattle.gov, 206.684.8114

Traffic on Southwest Spokane Street will be detoured between Chelan Avenue Southwest and Southwest Avalon Way using Southwest Genesee Street. Police Officers will be located at each end of the detour to assist traffic. The adjacent trail will not be affected.

For information on bus service, look for Rider Alert notices at bus stops, see Metro Online, www.kingcounty.gov/metro or call (206) 553-3000.

For information on bus service, look for Rider Alert notices at bus stops, see Metro Online, www.kingcounty.gov/metro or call (206) 553-3000.

The march route starts at the church located at 20^th Avenue S and S Lane Street; heads north on 20^th; west on S Jackson Street; south on 12^th Ave S; west on King Street; north on Fifth Avenue S; west on Jackson Street; north on Fourth Avenue; west on Pike; south on Second Avenue to a rally in front of the Federal Building between Madison and Marion streets. 

Motorists can expect heavy congestion along the march route. The streets on the route will be closed and reopen as the marchers pass by with all roadways expected to be reopened by 6 p.m.

Contact:  Seattle Police Department Media Hotline (206) 684-5520