Thursday, April 25
NFFTY Opening Night:  7:30 p.m.
Cinerama Theater (Fourth Avenue and Lenora)
900 attending
The curb lane along Fourth Avenue will be used for drop-off and pick-up of attendees.

Mariners vs. LA Angels:   7:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
15,000 attending
There may be some congestion surrounding the stadium.

Friday, April 26
Seattle Symphony “Untuxed” Concert:  6 – 8:30 p.m.
Benaroya Hall
420 students
School buses will drop off and pick up students between Second Avenue and Third Avenue on University Street.
Expect congestion in the area between 6 and 8:30 p.m.

Mariners vs. LA Angels:   7:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
24,000 expected
There may be some congestion surrounding the stadium.

Saturday, April 27
Emerald City Feis:  7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Northwest Rooms, Seattle Center, First Avenue N and Republican Street
1000 expected
Traffic may be a little heavier than usual on the First Avenue N side of the center grounds.

FlorAbundance Plant Sale:  10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Graham Visitors Center, Washington Park Arboretum
900 attending
Parking will be on the right side of Arboretum Drive. Traffic will be one-way going south on Arboretum Drive, and the south gate will be open to exiting vehicles. Handicapped parking will be available on the left side of Arboretum Drive, immediately south of the Visitors Center. There will be electric golf carts operating up and down Arboretum Drive, ferrying shoppers to and from their cars. Allow for some traffic congestion.

Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival:  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fisher Pavilion, Armory, Center House main floor,  and surrounding areas of Seattle Center
1000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on the Broad Street side of the center grounds.

Mariners vs. LA Angels:   6:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
28,000 expected
There may be some congestion surrounding the stadium.

Sunday, April 28
Emerald City Feis:  7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Northwest Rooms, Seattle Center, First Avenue N and Republican Street
1000 expected
Traffic may be a little heavier than usual on the First Avenue N side of the center grounds.

Top Pot Doughnut Dash: 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Green Lake Park
2,500 participating
Starts and finishes near the Green Lake Community Center and basketball courts moving clockwise around Green Lake on the park trails and onto streets adjacent to the Park.  Expect congestion on surrounding streets.

Seattle Urban Trek:  9 a.m.
Bell Harbor Conference Center (Alaskan Way and Bell Street)
450 participants
Event starts and finishes at Bell Harbor Conference Center. The beginning of the race will close the west curb lane of Alaskan Way from Bell Street to Wall Street; remainder of the event takes place on sidewalks and will not involve street closures. 

FlorAbundance Plant Sale:  10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Washington Park Arboretum
700 expected
Parking will be on the right side of Arboretum Drive. Traffic will be one-way going south on Arboretum Drive, and the south gate will be open to exiting vehicles. Handicapped parking will be available on the left side of Arboretum Drive, immediately south of the Visitors Center. There will be electric golf carts operating up and down Arboretum Drive, ferrying shoppers to and from their cars. Allow for some traffic congestion.

Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival:  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fisher Pavilion, Armory, Center House main floor and surrounding areas of Seattle Center
1000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on the Broad Street side of the center grounds.

Mariners vs. LA Angels:   1:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
24,000 attending
There may be some congestion surrounding the stadium.

                                                                          ###

Seattle Mariners vs the Texas Rangers:  7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
18,000 attending
Expect congestion in downtown and SODO as fans begin arriving during the late afternoon commute.

Pacific NW Ballet Opening Performance of Swan Lake:  7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
McCaw Hall, Seattle Center
2,900 attending
Expect more traffic than usual on Mercer Street.

Saturday, April 13
Seattle Center Whirligig! Inflatable Rides:  11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Armory Main Floor
1100 expected
Traffic may be heavier on Broad Street side of center grounds.

Seattle Sounders vs New England Revolution:  1 – 2:45 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
34,000 attending
Expect congestion surrounding the stadium before and after the match.

Rat City Rollergirls:  5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Key Arena
5,000
Plan on heavier traffic on the west side of the center adjacent to the arena.

Seattle Mariners vs Texas Rangers:  6:10 – 9 p.m.
Safeco Field
22,000 attending
Expect congestion on streets surrounding the stadium before and after  the game.

Pacific NW Ballet Performance of Swan Lake:  7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
McCaw Hall, Seattle Center
2,900 attending
Expect more traffic than usual on Mercer Street.

Sunday, April 14
Walk MS: 10 a.m.
Gather at Hec Edmunson Pavilion, University of Washington Campus
5,000 participants
Walk route:  Walk from pavilion to Gas Works Park and back using the Burke-Gilman Trail.  On the return route, walkers will use the westbound lane of N Northlake Way between Meridian Avenue N and Second Avenue NE.  The eastbound lane will remain open for local access.
Expect congestion in the area.

World Rhythm Festival: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Armory and center grounds
2,500 attending
Expect more traffic on Broad Street side of the center.

Seattle Center Whirligig! Inflatable Rides:  11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Armory Main Floor
1100 expected
Traffic may be heavier on Broad Street side of center grounds.

Seattle Mariners vs. Texas Rangers:  1:10 – 4 p.m.
Safeco Field
20,000 attending
Expect congesting surrounding the stadium before and after the game.

                                                                 
Contact:  Peg Nielsen, 206-684-8114

This work will include geotechnical investigations, temporary roadway paving between Virginia and Pike streets, utility pole installations, trenching for utility relocations, electric cable installation, wiring and other setting of utilities.

During the first weeks of work, the traveling public can anticipate seeing parking restrictions on Alaskan Way between Pike and Virginia streets, temporary construction signage, removal of existing utility poles, prep work for pavement removal and clearing landscaped areas in the work zone.

This early work is critical to ensure that active seawall construction this fall progresses as efficiently as possible and to keep other necessary construction activities on schedule. The City acknowledges the importance of minimizing construction impacts to the Seattle waterfront, and one of the goals of this early work is to ensure that the most significant, active construction activities in a given area are limited to one construction season. In addition, completing these early activities will allow work to begin in September in the far north end of the project, while parking is maintained under the viaduct until October. Critical utility relocations will be completed with this early work, which will allow some of the most disruptive activities, such as demolition and excavation of the old wall, to progress more efficiently thus minimizing access impacts. 

The Elliott Bay Seawall Project will replace the existing seawall with a structure that meets current safety and design standards. It will be the foundation of the current and future waterfront supporting and protecting major utilities, including power, regional telecommunications, gas, sewer and water; SR 99; the BNSF railway; as well as the future features of the Waterfront Seattle Program.

This Friday, WSDOT contractor crews will reduce a busy section of northbound Interstate 5 near downtown Seattle to just two lanes over the next two weekends. This closure will give crews the room they need to replace four 50-year-old expansion joints that run the width of the highway.

“This stretch of I-5 approaching downtown Seattle is very busy seven days a week, including weekends,” said WSDOT regional traffic manager Mark Leth. “Typically there are almost 110,000 vehicles a day on weekends in this area. We need drivers help to reduce that number in half.” 

Drivers can expect significant backups on northbound I-5 south of downtown Seattle. To keep traffic moving, WSDOT advises northbound I-5 drivers to take alternate routes.

Weekend lane closure details

Friday, March 29 – Monday, April 1

•  Crews will close up to three of five left lanes on northbound I-5 between the South Albro Place/Swift Avenue off-ramp and the I-5/West Seattle Bridge Interchange from 8 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday.
• On Saturday and Monday, crews will close up to four lanes between midnight and 4 a.m. to set up and take down concrete barriers.

 Friday, April 5 – Monday, April 8

•  Crews will close up to three of five right lanes on northbound I-5 between Place/Swift Avenue off-ramp and the I-5/West Seattle Bridge Interchange from 8 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday.
• The Swift Avenue South on-ramp to northbound I-5 will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.
• On Saturday and Monday, crews will close up to four lanes between midnight and 4 a.m. to set up and take down concrete barriers.

Alternate routes for drivers traveling to Seattle via northbound I-5

• Northbound I-405 to westbound I-90
• Northbound SR 599 to SR 99

Keeping traffic moving

WSDOT will do everything possible to keep traffic moving during the weekend lane closures:

•  Downtown Seattle will be open for business, with several alternate routes available.
• The I-90 express lanes will be open in the westbound direction all weekend long.
• Additional Incident Response Teams will be on duty to clear incidents and stalled vehicles.

Tools for drivers

Drivers can get real time traffic information on their phone with the WSDOT traffic app, tracking the WSDOT traffic twitter feed, and get advanced information from the What’s Happening Now page. Additionally, drivers can check traffic conditions before they leave the house by checking the Seattle area traffic web page or by calling 5-1-1.

WSDOT’s infrastructure is aging and needs ongoing maintenance to keep the system operating and to keep drivers safe. This stretch of I-5 was constructed in 1965. Nearly 50 years of constant traffic has weakened the steel expansion joints connecting the concrete spans that make up the interstate as it curves through Seattle’s industrial area. The original joints are coming apart and pose a safety risk to drivers if they’re not replaced.

 The expansion joint replacement work is part of the $4.5 million I-5: Spokane Street Special Bridge Repair project.

 Contact:    Broch Bender, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4699

Contact:  Peg Nielsen, 206.684.8114

Additionally, the Friday afternoon commute could be a little heavier than normal in the SODO area as fans of Alicia Keys flock to her “Set the World on Fire” concert at the WaMu Theatre in the CenturyLink Event Center.    

Thursday, March 7
Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament: 12 Noon – 4:30 p.m. (First Round, Session 1) and 6 – 10:30 p.m. (First Round – Session 2)
Key Arena
4,000 attending each session
(4,000 attending afternoon first round, session 1; 4,000 in evening first round, session 2)
Traffic may be congested on the streets adjacent to the west side of the Center Grounds.

Alicia Keys concert: 7:30 (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
WaMu Theatre (CenturyLink Event Center)
4,700 attending
Traffic may be more congested than usual during the afternoon commute on streets surrounding CenturyLink Field.

Friday, March 8
International Gem and Jewelry Show:  12 Noon – 7 p.m.
Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center
1,000 attending
Expect more traffic on Mercer Street.

Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament:  (Second Round, Session 3) 12 Noon – 4:30 p.m. and (Second Round, Session 4) 6 – 10:30 p.m.
Key Arena, Seattle Center
4,000 attending each session
Traffic may be congested on the streets adjacent to the west side of the Center Grounds.

La Boheme Seattle Opera:  7:30 – 10 p.m.
McCaw Hall, Seattle Center
2,900 attending
Traffic will likely be heavier on Mercer Street before and after the performance.

Saturday, March 9
International Gem and Jewelry Show:  10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center
1,200 expected
Anticipate heavier traffic on Mercer Street.

Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament:  6 – 10:30 p.m. (Semifinals – Session 5)
Key Arena, Seattle Center
4,000 + attending
Traffic may be congested on the streets adjacent to the west side of the Seattle Center.

Sunday, March 10
A Shout Out to Japan – A Day of  Remembrance: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 
Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center
1,000 expected
Expect traffic to be heavier on streets adjacent to the Seattle Center.

International Gem and Jewelry Show:  11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center
1,200 expected
Anticipate heavier traffic on Mercer Street.

La Boheme Seattle Opera Closing Performance:  2 – 4:30 p.m.
McCaw Hall, Seattle Center
2,900 attending
Traffic will likely be heavier on Mercer Street before and after the performance.

Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament:  5 – 7:30 p.m. (Finals – Session 6)
Key Arena, Seattle Center
4,000 + attending
Traffic may be congested on the streets adjacent to the west side of the Seattle Center.

 Contact:  Peg Nielsen, 206.684.8114

Contact:  Peg Nielsen, 206-684-8114

The comic is being released as part of the City’s Road Safety Action Plan and Be Super Safe Seattle campaign initiated by Mayor McGinn to eliminate fatal and serious injury collisions on our streets. Containing stories, tips and information about the three leading contributing factors in fatal collisions in Seattle – speeding, distraction and impairment – the comic is targeted at young male drivers.  Collision data clearly indicates that young men ages 16 to 30 are involved in serious collisions far too often. In Washington State,

• 85 percent of drivers killed in collisions involving speeding were males with 56 percent of those individuals under the age of 30,
• 77 percent of drivers killed in collisions involving distraction were males with nearly 40 percent of those drivers under age 30, and
• Males were driving in 83 percent of all fatal collisions involving impairment with 42 percent of those drivers between the ages of 16 to 30.

The comic book format is being used in an effort to connect with this demographic group that is notoriously difficult to reach.  The first 3000 visitors at Comicon will receive a copy of the comic and banners containing safety messages will be placed throughout the Convention Center.  Hardcopies of the comic will be distributed at driving schools, pediatrician and medical offices, as well as schools and community centers throughout the city.  Digital versions will be distributed through social media and our website: www.seattle.gov/besupersafe .

Local artists James Klauser, Billy S. Patton, and Erik Thompson from Bullseye Creative are responsible for creating the vibrant, eye-catching comic art.  

This work is just one piece of the City’s larger effort to improve traffic safety for all. Our Road Safety Action Plan outlines the traffic safety issues we’re targeting and identifies specific countermeasures that the city is currently implementing to combat these issues. This includes increased enforcement patrols, roadway improvements, and educational outreach.  Education is a critical component of this work since the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 90 percent of all collisions can be attributed to behavioral issues like speeding, distraction, or impairment.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates the cost of a single serious or fatal collision at $6 million and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that these collisions alone cost Washington taxpayers approximately $665 million each year. Funding for the Be Super Safe Seattle campaign comes from a number of sources including $100,000 from the City’s General Fund and more than $400,000 in grant funding. If we prevent just one serious or fatal injury, this program will pay for itself many times over.

For more information about the Road Safety Action Plan and Be Super Safe Seattle campaign visit www.seattle.gov/besupersafe, www.facebook.com/besupersafeseattle, or call Jim Curtin at (206) 684-8874.