To Avoid Delays, Motorists Should Plan Ahead

Summer kicks into gear this weekend with the annual Fremont Solstice Parade and Fremont Fair. With thousands of people flocking to the Fremont District, drivers should plan on parking a distance away and then walking to the events in the area.  In addition, motorists bound for Fremont need to keep in mind that the I-5 Mercer Street ramps will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, and should use SR 99, or if taking I-5, use the alternate I-5 off-ramps at Olive Way (northbound) or Stewart Street (southbound) and Denny Way going via Westlake Avenue N to and from Fremont. For more directions and a map, please see: www.fremontfair.org/directions-festival-map.

Also, fans attending the Mariners games on Saturday and Sunday should allow for extra travel time as the SR520/Evergreen Point Floating Bridge will be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday through the weekend until 5 a.m. on Monday.  The bridge closure will likely increase traffic volumes considerably on I-5, I-90 and possibly I-405.

For more details about these and other weekend events, please see the schedule below.  To help reduce traffic congestion and CO2 emissions, the Seattle Department of Transportation encourages drivers to consider leaving the car behind and trying 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 even walking, if feasible.

Friday, June 17
Mariners vs. Philadelphia:  7:10 -10:30 p.m.
Safeco Field
39,000 expected
Plan on heavy traffic around the stadium before and after the game.

Saturday, June 18:
Seattle Police East Precinct Foundation Picnic: 1 – 4 p.m.
East Precinct of Seattle Police Department
1,000 expected
Street closed from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: 12^th Avenue between E Pike Street and E Pine Street.

Fremont Fair:  10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fremont district
24,000 expected
Streets will be closed from 1 p.m. on Friday, June 17, until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, within the following boundaries: First Avenue NW on the west; N 36^th Street on the north; Fremont Avenue N on the east; N 34^th Street; N Canal Street on the south.

Fremont Solstice Parade: 12 noon
Fremont district
22,000 expected
Streets on parade route will close at 11a.m.:  Route begins at NW 36^th Street and Leary Way NW; moves east on 36^th to Fremont Place N; south on Fremont Place to Fremont Avenue N; south on Fremont Avenue to N 34^th Street; east on 34^th to Stone Way N; south on Stone to N Northlake Way; east on Northlake into Gas Works Park; expect heavy congestion in the area. 

The Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day Parade:  12:30 p.m.
16^th Avenue S and S Jackson Street
350 participants
Parade starts at 16^th Avenue S and S Jackson Street; heads west on Jackson to 14^th Avenue S; north on 14^th to S Washington Street, and onto the grounds of the Bailey – Gatzert Elementary School.  Seattle Police will escort.

Mariners vs Philadelphia Phillies:  7:10 – 10: 30 p.m.
Safeco Field
44,000 expected
Allow extra time to travel to the game as the SR 520/Evergreen Point Floating Bridge will be closed and traffic volumes may be very heavy on I-5, I-90 and possibly I-405.  Plan on congestion around Safeco Field before and after the game.

Peg Nielsen, 206.684.8114