On the Move Blog Department of Transportation

On The Move

Advisories from the Seattle Department of Transportation

Weekend Work Scheduled for the West Seattle Bridge

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Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18, The Seattle Department of Transportation will be removing and replacing markings in the bus lane eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge from the Avalon Way on-ramp, adjacent to the old steel mill, to the First Avenue S off-ramp,  just past the SR99 exit.  In conjunction with the pavement marking work, the crews will also be installing signs.

The work will be carried out between 7 a.m. and  4 p.m. each day.   Motorists should use caution and be watchful for buses needing to pull out of the bus lane in the work zone.

Lane closures on 15th West/Northwest

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A contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation will install conduit this week and next in the 15th Avenue W/NW corridor, working from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Today and tomorrow (October 14 and 15), the contractor is closing the inside south bound lane of 15th Avenue West at West Emerson Street.  The inside north bound  lane on Leary Avenue Northwest is also closed to work on the northbound ramp to 15th Avenue Northwest in this location.

This work will allow for the future installation of a traffic camera and signal cabinet upgrade.

Footwork and Football Rule the Weekend

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The weekends filled with festivals and parades have come to an end and the traditional fall sports events are taking the forefront.  Saturday, September 10, snowboarders will show off their fancy footwork in an afternoon exhibition in Pioneer Square.  Saturday night, the University of Washington Huskies football team will play before a nearly sold-out crowd at Husky Stadium.  On Sunday,  Seattle Seahawk fans will once again get a chance to play the 12th Man at Qwest Field. Motorists can count on the usual traffic congestion associated with the two football games.
 
Saturday, October 10

Downtown Throwdown (outdoor snowboard exhibition): 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Occidental Park
2,000 expected
There are no street closures, but there is the potential for traffic congestion in the surrounding area in Pioneer Square.

University of Washington Huskies versus the Arizona Wildcats: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
University of Washington Husky Stadium
65,000 expected
Before and after the game, expect congestion on I-5 through the University District, SR 520 and on all arterials in the area surrounding Husky Stadium. 

Sunday, October 11 

Seattle Seahawks versus the Jacksonville Jaguars: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Qwest Field
70,000
Plan on congestion surrounding the stadium, as well as on I-5, on I-90 and on the Alaskan Way Viaduct before and after the game.
                                   
The Seattle Department of Transportation builds, maintains and operates Seattle’s $12 billion transportation infrastructure. To further Mayor Nickels’ goal to get Seattle moving, the department manages short- and long-term investments in streets, bridges, pavement and trees, that better connect the city with the region.

First Avenue & Columbia Street to be Repaved

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This is coming weekend, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will completely repave the intersection at First Avenue and Columbia Street, along with approximately 100 feet of Columbia Street heading east. The project, added to the 2009 paving program this fall, is expected to wrap up in less than two days time. Work will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, with paving scheduled to be complete by Saturday night, October 10. Striping and some touch up work will follow, with the roadway reopened by 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 11.

To complete this work in the quick turn-around of less than 48 hours, First Avenue will be closed between Marion Street and Cherry Street; Columbia Street will be closed at Second Avenue.  The Columbia Street on-ramp to the Alaskan Way Viaduct southbound will be closed from 6:30 p.m. on Friday, and reopen no later than 11 a.m. on Sunday.  In accordance with noise restrictions, there will be no jack-hammering after 10 p.m.

 Detour signs will be posted and uniformed Police Officers will be on site to assist pedestrians and general traffic.  For information or questions about transit service, please call Metro Transit Customer Information at (206) 553-3000, or visit Metro Online at: www.kingcounty.gov/metro.

Crews reopen Fourth Avenue S. lane and ramp ahead of schedule

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WSDOT reopened the southbound 4th Ave S. on-ramp to Edgar Martinez Dr S. and the southbound right  through lane of 4th Ave S at  5 a.m., today, Sept. 29.  The ramp and lane were closed yesterday morning, Sept 28, to complete permanent repairs to beams that had been damaged by an over-height semi last Friday afternoon.  A section of the right lane of the ramp will remain closed to protect the beams from further hits.

Lane Closures on Aurora Bridge and Alaskan Way Viaduct Tuesday

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Tuesday, September 22, a Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crew will be making repairs to the expansion joints on the Aurora Bridge from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.  The work will require closing the two center lanes – one southbound and one northbound.  Two lanes will remain open for southbound and northbound.

Also tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22, SDOT will be close the right curb lane northbound on the Alaskan Way Viaduct at Massachusetts Street from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  During the closure, a crew will finish installing a temporary post and rail that was damaged by a vehicle accident on Saturday. Permanent repairs will be made at this location during a closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct that scheduled to take place in October. Please use caution through the work zone.

Sounders Match against Barcelona Tomorrow Night

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SEATTLE – Plan on a heavy afternoon commute tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5.  At 7:30 p.m., the Seattle Sounders will play Barcelona in front of 67,000 spectators at Qwest Field.  Soccer fans are being encouraged to arrive early for the match. With the crowd being equivalent to that of a Seahawks game, it will likely make for an extremely heavy afternoon commute into and out of the SODO area and through downtown Seattle.  The Seattle Department of Transportation urges commuters and event-goers to consider travel options – bus, Sounder, Link Rail, bicycle or park at a distance and walk to the SODO area.

Traffic Congestion Expected with Mid-Day M’s Game

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 SEATTLE –Tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, July 29, nearly 27,500 spectators will be heading into the SODO area for the 1:40 p.m. Seattle Mariners game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Safeco Field.  The Seattle Department of Transportation advises motorists to plan on traffic congestion around Safeco Field, including the on- and off-ramps from the I-5 / I-90, the Alaskan Way Viaduct, as well as through the downtown area.  With the game ending close to 4 p.m., just as the afternoon commute is getting underway, SODO commuters and  Mariners fans are urged to help reduce traffic congestion and consider alternate modes of transportation – Link Rail, the Sounder, Metro Transit, bicycle or walk to the stadium, if feasible.

 

Fourth of July Weekend Brings Fun and Traffic Delays

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SEATTLE – The coming holiday weekend gets underway on Friday, July 3, with a Green Day concert and midnight race, Firecracker 5000, both likely to impact traffic late in the evening around the Seattle Center.  On Saturday, two major events drawing enormous crowds will take place on opposite ends of Lake Union – the Wooden Boat Festival on the south end and the Chase Fourth of July Fireworks at the north end. In addition, there are many other activities taking place elsewhere in the city that promise attendance in the thousands.  The Seattle Department of Transportation suggests that motorists should plan on delays, parking at a distance and walking to the events, or consider using alternate modes of travel – bus, bike or, if feasible, walk.

 Please see the following schedule of events.

Friday, July 3

Green Day Concert:   7 – 11 p.m.

Seattle Center-Key Arena

10,000 expected

Expect congestion on Valley Street which may impact traffic coming off of I-5 at Mercer Street.

 

Firecracker 5000 race:  11:55 p.m. – 1 a.m. (July 4)

1, 250 participants

Starts at the Memorial Stadium in the Seattle Center, heads out on 4th N at Republican, north on 4th to Mercer, east on Mercer to 9th, north on 9th to Broad, west on Broad to Denny, west on Denny to 1st N, north on 1st to Mercer, east on Mercer to 5th, south on 5th to Harrison, west on Harrison around the Center Fountain, back to Mercer, east on Mercer to 4th, south on 4th to the Memorial Stadium. 

Northwest Black Community Festival:  12 noon – 9 p.m.

Judkins Park

4,800 expected

 

Saturday, July 4

Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival:   10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Lake Union Center for Wooden Boats)

15, 000 spectators

Expect congestion on Valley Street which may impact traffic coming off of I-5 at Mercer Street.

 

Admiral Fourth of July Kids Parade:  10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

West Seattle Streets and Hamilton Viewpoint Park

Rolling slowdowns with Seattle Police escort.  Parade starts at Sunset Avenue SW and 44th Avenue SW, goes south on Sunset to SW Atlantic Street,  east on Atlantic to Palm Avenue SW, north on Palm into Hamilton Viewpoint Park.

 

Chase Family Fourth:  12 Noon – 11 p.m. (traffic delays possibly up to midnight)

Lake Union-Gas Works Park

50,000 spectators

From 12 noon to 6 p.m., Seattle Police will set up a perimeter restricting traffic to “local access only” between Sunnyside Avenue N on the east, Interlake Avenue N on the west, N 39th Street on the north and N Northlake Way/GasWorks Park on the south. 

From 6 p.m. 11:30 p.m., the restricted traffic access perimeter will be enlarged to I-5 on the east, Stone Way N on the west, N 40th Street on the north and N Northlake Way/ Lake Union/Gas Works Park on the south.

For more details go to: http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2009/06/29/july-4th-wallingford-neighborhood-traffic-management-plan/

Boat traffic is expected to increase at least 30 percent on the Lake Union for the event. Boaters coming into Lake Union need to pass through the Lake Washington Ship Canal bridges by 9 p.m.  After the fireworks, the Fremont Bridge will not re-open to marine traffic until 12:30 a.m. July 5, the Ballard and University Bridge will not re-open for marine traffic until 1:30 a.m. July 5.

 

Pacific Northwest Black Community Festival:  12 noon – 9 p.m.

Judkins Park

4,800 expected

 

Sunday, July 5

Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival:   10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Lake Union Center for Wooden Boats)

15,000 spectators

Expect congestion on Valley Street which may impact traffic coming off of I-5 at Mercer Street.

 

Summer Sundays on Pike Place: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

1,000 attending

Streets closed:  Pike, Pine and Stewart streets between First Avenue and Pike Place and Pike Place (adjacent to the market).

 

Pacific Northwest Black Community Festival:  12 noon – 9 p.m.

Judkins Park

4,800 expected

Summer Events in Full Swing this Weekend

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SEATTLE – This weekend, Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28, there’s a wide array of outdoor summer events to enjoy ranging from festivals and parades, to marathons and motorcycle rides. The Seattle Department of Transportation reminds motorists to plan for possible delays associated with these events and suggests event-goers leave the car at home and consider trying an alternate mode of travel – bus, bike or walk, if feasible.

Events details and street closures are as follows:

Friday, June 26

Wildrose Gay Pride: 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Capitol Hill – 11th Avenue from E Pike to E Union Street
1,500 expected
Streets closed from 6 a.m. (Friday) – 11:30 p.m. Sunday: E Pike Street from Broadway to 12th Avenue and 11th Avenue from Pike to Union Street.

Saturday, June 27

Wildrose Gay Pride: 1 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Capitol Hill – 11th Avenue from E Pike to E Union Street
1,500 expected
Streets closed from 6 a.m. (Friday) to 11:30 p.m. Sunday: E Pike Street from Broadway to 12th Avenue and 11th Avenue from Pike to Union Street.

PURR Pride Block Party: 1 p.m. – 2 a.m. (Sunday)
Capitol Hill 1518 11th Avenue
1,000 expected
Streets closed from 7 a.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday: 11th Avenue from E Pine Street to E Pike Street.

Ferrari California Launch Event: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
E Union between 11th and 12th Avenue
125 expected
Street closed from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.: E Union Street from 11th to 12th Avenue

Greenwood Car Show: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Greenwood business district
20,500 expected
Streets closed from 5:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.: Greenwood Avenue from N 70th to N 87th Street. Cross streets will be closed except for N 80th and N 85th streets. For information or questions about transit service, please call Metro Transit customer service at: 206-553-3000, or visit Metro Transit online at: http://www.Kingcounty.gov/metro

Artopia: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Georgetown streets
7,700 expected
Streets closed from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.: 12th Avenue S from S Bailey Street to Airport Way S and S Nebraska Street west of Airport Way S.

Seattle Dyke March: 7 – 8 p.m.
Capitol Hill
1,500 expected
Seattle Police will escort which will create a rolling slowdown. March starts at Seattle Central Community College on Broadway at Pine Street, heads east on E Pine Street to 12th Avenue, north on 12th Avenue to E Mercer Street, west on E Mercer, and south on Broadway to E Pine Street.

Julia’s on Broadway: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
1,000 expected
E Thomas St and Broadway
Streets closed from 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.: E Thomas Street from Broadway to 10th Avenue E.

Capitol Hill Pride Festival 2009 on Broadway: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
2,200 expected
Streets closed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Broadway from Olive to Roy streets.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle – Marathon and Half Marathon: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
25,000 participants
Alaskan Way Viaduct/ SR 99 closed to vehicles from N 45th Street to East Marginal Way S from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Streets closed on race route from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

Marathon starts in Tukwila heading north on Interurban Boulevard to Boeing Access Road, heads east on Boeing Access to Martin Luther King Jr. Way (MLK), north on MLK to Cloverdale, east on Cloverdale to Seward Park, north on Seward Park Drive to Lake Washington Boulevard, north on Lake
Washington Boulevard to I-90 Express lanes, east to mid Mercer Island, then turns around going west on I-90 Express lanes into downtown Seattle taking the S Airport Way exit, north on Airport to Fourth Avenue, north on Fourth to Second Avenue, north on Second to Columbia, west on Columbia to the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Half marathon goes south to First Ave S and finishes at Qwest Field. Full marathon goes north onto Alaskan Way Viaduct to Aurora to 39th Avenue, turns around heading south on Aurora back onto the viaduct to the West Seattle Bridge, and then makes a U-turn going north on the viaduct and then goes off at First Avenue to Qwest Field.

For map and more details please go to: www.rnrseattle.com

Sunday, June 28

Cuff Pride Day Celebration: 12 noon – 9 p.m.
Capitol Hill
4,100 expected
Streets closed from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.: 13th Avenue from Pike to Pine

Seattle Pride Parade: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Downtown Seattle
200,000
Streets closed from 6 a.m. -11 a.m. for staging: 4th Avenue from Columbia to Union Street.
Streets closed from 11a.m. – 3 p.m. for parade: Fourth Avenue north from Union to Denny, west on Denny to Second Avenue, north on Second to the Seattle Center.

Wildrose Gay Pride: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Capitol Hill – 11th Avenue from E Pike to E Union Street
1,500 expected
Streets closed from 6 a.m. (Friday) to 11:30 p.m. Sunday: E Pike Street from Broadway to 12th Avenue and 11th Avenue from Pike to Union Street.

Children’s Ride 14: 6 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Motorcyclists gather at Safeco Field on the garage plaza prior to departing via Edgar Martinez Drive to I-90. Ride to raise funds for Children’s Hospital winds up at Emerald Downs.
4,000 expected

Summer Sundays on Pike Place: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1,000 attending
Streets closed: Pike, Pine and Stewart streets between First Avenue and Pike Place and Pike Place (adjacent to the market).

31st Annual Shore Run and Walk: 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Along Lake Washington
3,150 expected

Streets adjacent to route will be congested: 5 K run starts at 8:15 a.m. at Leschi and goes along Lakeside Avenue/Lake Washington Boulevard to Madison Park. 6.7 Mile run starts at 9 a.m. at Seward Park and goes along Lakeside Avenue/Lake Washington Boulevard to Madison Park.

Seattle Sounders versus Colorado Rapids: 1:00 p.m.
Qwest Field
32,000 expected

Expect heavy traffic surrounding the stadium before and after the game.