With a wide variety of marches and events scheduled over the next few days, the Seattle Department of Transportation advises motorists that traffic delays can be avoided by planning ahead.  The Opening Day of Boating season on Saturday, May 1, will provide the biggest challenge for motorists around the University of Washington when the Montlake Bridge will be closed to motorists from 10:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m.  Also on Saturday, traffic in the SODO area may be quite heavy throughout the day with both the Mariners and the Sounders playing in the afternoon and evening, respectively.  Sports fans are encouraged to take transit, Link Rail, the Sounder, or carpool, to help reduce traffic into and out of the SODO area.

Thursday, April 29
Husky Band Spring Game Rally and Procession: 8:55 – 10 p.m.
Greek Row, University of Washington
600 expected
Husky band and supporters will weave through the streets to rally the fans for Friday’s game; Seattle Police will escort.

NFFTY 2010 Opening Night: 7:30 p.m.
Fourth Avenue and Lenora Street
875 expected
Opening Night screening at Cinerama Theater; the curb lane along Fourth at Lenora will reserved for drop-off and pick-up of attendees.

Friday, April 30
University of Washington Huskies Annual Spring Game:   6:30 p.m.
Husky Stadium
Expect congestion in areas around the stadium.

Mariners vs Texas Rangers 7:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
31,000 expected
                                                           
Saturday, May 1
Opening Day Boat Parade and Windermere Cup: Montlake Cut races – 10:20 a.m.; parade – 12 noon
20,000 expected
Montlake Bridge will be closed to motorists from 10:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m.  Expect congestion around the University of Washington. 

10th Annual May 1^st March and Rally for Immigration Rights: 12 noon
5,000 participants
Starts at Judkins Park at S Lane Street and 20^th Place S; heads west on Lane to 20^th Avenue S; then north on 20^th to S Jackson Street; west on Jackson to Fourth Avenue; north on Fourth to Broad Street; east on Broad to Fifth Avenue N; north on Fifth to Republican Street; west on Republican into Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center; Seattle Police will escort.

Ballard Urban Picnic: 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
1,000 expected
Ballard Commons Park and surrounding streets
Street closed from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m:  22^nd Avenue NW between NW 57^th and NW 58^th St, and NW 57^th Street between 22^nd Avenue NW and 24^th Avenue NW.

Marijuana Liberation March: 2:30 p.m.
500 participants
Starts at Volunteer Park at 12^th Avenue and  E Prospect Street; west on Prospect to Tenth Avenue  E; south on Tenth to Broadway Avenue E; south on Broadway to E Pine Street; west on Pine to Fourth Avenue into Westlake park; Seattle Police will escort. 

Seattle Mariners vs Texas Rangers: 12:10 p.m.
Safeco Field
30,000 expected
Expect congestion around the stadium.

Seattle Sounders vs Crew: 7:30 p.m.
Qwest Field
34,000 expected
Motorists will likely encounter heavy traffic throughout the SODO area.


Sunday, May 2
Seattle Mariners vs Texas Rangers: 1:10 p.m.
29,000 exjpected
Expect congestion around the stadium.

Abolish Nuclear Weapons: Set the Date Now! (March): 2:30 p.m.
1,000 participants
                                                          
Starts at Seattle University at Broadway and Columbia Street; north on Broadway to Madison Street; west on Madison to Alaskan Way; north on Alaskan to Waterfront Park (Union Street); Seattle Police will escort.