Motorists need to plan for possible delays
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.
12th and Yesler Way
100 – 200 participants
March route: starts at 12th 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 34th Avenue from Fremont Avenue N to Stone Way N
1,500 participants
Streets closed from 5:45 p.m. until 9 p.m.: N 34th Street between Fremont Avenue N and Stone Way N for the Race route: starts at N 34th Street east of Fremont Avenue N; east on 34th to NE Pacific Street; east on Pacific to N 40th Street; at 40th Street participants veer onto the Burke-Gilman trail; head west on the trail to Stone Way N and N 34th Street; west on 34th 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.: 12th 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
