This week started off with the Sounders whooping the Dynamos, 4 to 1. Beginning Thursday, Aurora Borealis comes to town; the Huskies host Colorado; the UW Dawgs dash; a Snails Shell Tour is scheduled; and….the Alaskan Way traffic switch is planned!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11

Image by MOHAI | borealisfestivaloflight.com/
BOREALIS – a festival of lights: Inaugural, annual event creating a kaleidoscope of light, color, and illusion on the exterior of the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI); plus, art installations in South Lake Union; music; food trucks; and a beer garden during this international competition. Four nights, 6:30 PM – 10 PM; 10,000 to 15,000 attendees expected.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12
BOREALIS – a festival of lights: Inaugural, annual event creating a kaleidoscope of light, color, and illusion on the exterior of the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI); plus, art installations in South Lake Union; music; food trucks; and a beer garden during this international competition. Four nights, 6:30 PM – 10 PM; 10,000 to 15,000 attendees expected.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13

Featured image courtesy of CenturyLink Field | Snails – Shell Tour 2
Puget Sound Heart and Stroke Walk: Walk from Seattle Center to Downtown and back in this fundraiser to help fight heart disease and stroke! Walk begins at 2nd Ave N and Mercer St; to E on Mercer; S on 5th ; W on Cedar; S on 4th; a U-Turn at University; N on 4th; W on Denny; N on 2nd; to the Seattle Center campus. RapidRide C Line to be rerouted. Event Hours: 9 AM – 11 AM; 6,000 attendees expected.
- 4th Ave University St to Denny Way closed 8 AM – 11 AM.
- 4th Ave is WSDOT I-5 detour route.
SODO Flea: Monthly flea market on Utah Ave S between S Stacy and Holgate streets. Event Hours: 10 AM – 4 PM; 1,000 attendees expected.
Women Build Nations Banner Parade: This march from the Washington State Convention Center (7th Ave and Pike St), with Seattle Police escort, travels along 7th Ave, to Pine St, to Westlake Park. Event Hours: 1:15 PM – up to 3:30 PM. 1,000 attendees expected.
BOREALIS – a festival of lights: Inaugural, annual event creating a kaleidoscope of light, color, and illusion on the exterior of the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI); plus, art installations in South Lake Union; music; food trucks; and a beer garden during this international competition. Four nights, 6:30 PM – 10 PM; 10,000 to 15,000 attendees expected.
Snails – Shell Tour 2.0 Tour concert at WaMu Theater: Event Hours: 7 PM – 11:59 PM. 7,000 attendees expected.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14:

Image courtesy of Alaska Airlines Dawg Dash | www.washington.edu/alumni/dawgdash/
University of Washington Dawg Dash: Run in support of student scholarships! Route uses UW campus roadways, and roads/trails north and south 10K begins at 9 AM; 5K at 9:20 AM; 4,700 attendees expected.
BOREALIS – a festival of lights: Inaugural, annual event creating a kaleidoscope of light, color, and illusion on the exterior of the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI); plus, art installations in South Lake Union; music; food trucks; and a beer garden during this international competition. Four nights, 6:30 PM – 10 PM; 10,000 to 15,000 attendees expected.
Construction updates…
- October 13: 2nd Ave, Pine St to Pike St, will be reduced to one lane for crane work in support of the future State Hotel (1507 2nd Ave).
- October 12 – 15: NB I-5 reduced to 2 lanes, MLK to Olive Way, Fri 8 PM – Mon 5 AM.
- October 12 – 15: SR 99 SB closed, S end of Battery St tunnel to S Spokane St, Fri 9 PM – Mon 5 AM
- October 13 – 14: Alaskan Way will be closed from 8 PM Saturday night until 10 AM Sunday morning, to switch traffic from under the viaduct to west of viaduct. Parking will be available under the viaduct until the viaduct closes on January 11, 2019.
- October 12 – 15; 19 – 22; and 26 – 29: Rainier Ave S at I-90 will be closed, Fri 11 PM – Mon 5 AM, for the Sound Transit East Link Extension project.
- October 15 – 21: Full closure of SR 99, John St to Harrison St, for multiple utility projects; Times TBD.
- October 19 – 22: Full closure of SR 99, West Seattle Bridge to Battery St tunnel, Fri 9 PM – Mon 5 AM.
- WSDOT construction details at:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/construction-notifications
In the pipeline…
October 28: Westlake Ave N SB lanes closed at Mercer St and SLU Streetcar will not operate. Seattle Public Utilities is installing a water service connection for the 201 Westlake Ave N development (future 7-story Citizen M hotel). Vehicles will be detoured to Dexter and Fairview.
The tunnel down under…

Image from WSDOT Video | One Smart Tunnel
January of 2019 will be a significant traffic transition month, culminating with the opening of the new SR 99 tunnel. To prepare for what’s coming, plan now for options to deal with the necessary 3-week SR 99 closure.
Other event/construction info…
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There’s no way around it—getting around Seattle is going to be tricky during the SR 99 closure. Expect traffic delays and be prepared for full buses during peak travel times. Check out the travel options below that can help you get around in anticipation of the new SR 99 tunnel opening.
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