Motorists should Plan Ahead to Avoid Delays
SEATTLE – Over the next three days, August 24 through 26, sports competitions and events range from canoe and kayak championships, fund raising cross-lake swims, 10K marathons, and fun runs for kids to professional basketball with the Seattle Storm. To list just a few of the many fun events from which to choose, there’s a line-up of festivals and in the Rainier Valley, lower Woodland Park and the International District, as well as the International Gem and Jewelry Show featured at the Seattle Center, and Mohai Movies at South Lake Union Park.
The Seattle Department of Transportation encourages motorists to support Seattle in its goal to reduce air pollution by trying out 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 walk, if feasible. For more information about the weekend activities, please see the schedule below:
Friday, August 24
USA Canoe Kayak Sprint National Championships: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Southwest corner if Green Lake
750 participants and spectators
Some parking lots on the south end of the lake will be closed as of 6 a.m. through the end of the event on Sunday. Expect heavier traffic than usual on streets surrounding the lake.
International Gem and Jewelry Show: 12 Noon – 7 p.m.
Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center
1000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on streets adjacent to the Seattle Center.
Saturday, August 25
Seattle Marathon 10K Race: 8 a.m. – 12 Noon
Starts and finishes at Seattle Center
2,200 participants and spectators
Race route: Leaves Seattle Center heading south on Fifth Avenue; then west on Cedar Street; south on western Avenue to Marion Street; makes a u-turn and heads north on Bell Street; enters the Battery Street tunnel; goes north onto Aurora Avenue (SR99), makes another U-turn to Bell Street and heads south on Aurora at Dexter, and returns on Mercer Street to the Seattle Center.
Portions of streets along the run /walk route will be closed to vehicles from approximately 7:30 – 11 a.m.
USA Canoe Kayak Sprint National Championships: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Southwest corner if Green Lake
750 participants and spectators
Some parking lots on the south end of the lake will be closed as of 6 a.m. through the end of the event on Sunday. Expect heavier traffic than usual on streets surrounding the lake.
Big Day of Play 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Magnuson Park
4, 400 expected
During Fun Run/Walk event, portions of the park roads will be closed to vehicles; traffic may be congested on Sand Point Way NE near the entrance to the park.
International Gem and Jewelry Show: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center
1200 attending
Expect heavier traffic on streets adjacent to the Seattle Center.
Rainier Court Community Festival: 12 Noon – 5 p.m.
33rd Avenue S
600 attending
Streets closed approximately 11:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. : 33rd Avenue S between S Spokane Street and S Charlestown Street.
The Goddess Festival: 12 Noon – 9 p.m.
Lower Woodland Park
550 attending
Park road near picnic shelter 1-3 will be closed to traffic. Plan accordingly.
Mohai Movies in Lake Union Park: 7 – 11:55 p.m.
Lake Union Park
500 expected
Traffic may be congested on Valley Street and at the entrance to the parking lots adjacent to the park.
Sunday, August 26
Park to Park Swim: 6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Gather at Matthews Beach
400 expected
Children’s Hospital fundraiser involves swim from Matthews Beach across Lake Washington. Traffic will be most congested on Sand Point Way NE near the beach entrance.
USA Canoe Kayak Sprint National Championships: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Southwest corner if Green Lake
750 participants and spectators
Some parking lots on the south end of the lake will be closed as of 6 a.m. through the end of the event on Sunday. Expect heavier traffic than usual on streets surrounding the lake.
Alki Beach 5K Run: 8 – 11 a.m.
Alki Beach Park Bathhouse – start and finish lines
1,400 expected
A portion of Alki Avenue SW will be closed to vehicles during the event.
International Gem and Jewelry Show: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center
1000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on streets adjacent to the Seattle Center.
Kawabe Summer Food and Festival: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kawabe Memorial House
1, 050 attending
Streets closed for event: 18th Avenue S from S Main to S Washington streets.
Holy Rosary Parish Summer Picnic: 12:30 – 3 p.m.
Rainier Avenue S at S Alaska Street
3,000 + expected
Streets closed: Rainier Avenue S between S Alaska Street and S Brandon Street.
Plan on congestion on nearby streets.
Seattle Storm vs New York: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Key Arena
6,000 attending
Expect congestion on streets adjacent to Key Arena.
Key construction closures
Southbound SR 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. August 26 – 30.
I-5 on and off- ramps at Mercer Street closed 11 p.m. Friday, August 24, until 5 a.m. Monday, August 27, when Mercer Street opens to two-way traffic.
Northbound I-5 off-ramp and Banner Way NE overpass at N 85th Street closed from 10 p.m. Friday, August 24, until 5 a.m. Monday, August 27 for grinding and paving.
The eastbound First Avenue S off-ramp from the Spokane Street Viaduct and eastbound Spokane surface roadway between East Marginal Way S and First Avenue S are closed around the clock for repaving.
Contact: Peg Nielsen, 206.684.8114
