Before we get to the weekend, it’s the end-of-week summertime tradition – SDOT‘s list of areas around the city where big events are guaranteed – or likely – to have big traffic effects. The two-part Alaskan Way Viaduct closure (northbound Saturday night for the Seafair Torchlight Run, then southbound early Sunday through early Monday for construction) is part of the list. Read on!

Over the coming weekend, July 29-31, there are Seafair events taking place around the city and in downtown Seattle. Motorists should allow extra time for possible traffic delays associated with the events, particularly on Saturday. Saturday evening the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed from 5:30 – 8:30 northbound for the 6:30 Torchlight Run. Also some 300,000 people will be coming into downtown Seattle to watch the Torchlight parade that moves through down Fourth Avenue from Broad to Washington Street starting at 7:30 p.m. In addition, the southbound lanes of the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed from 11:59 p.m. on Saturday evening until 5 a.m. on Monday morning for utility installation work on the south end of the viaduct.

To help reduce traffic congestion, carbon emissions, and frustration, the Seattle Department of Transportation encourages eventgoers to consider parking the car at home 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, July 29

Clips of Faith Beer and Film Tour: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Gas Works Park
1,500
Expect congestion in the area.

Magnolia Summer Festival: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Magnolia Playfield , on W Smith Street between 32nd and 34th Avenue W, and on 33rd Avenue W between W Wheeler and W Smith streets.

1,000 expected

Streets closed from 4 p.m. Thursday, July 28 to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 30: W Smith from 32nd to 34th, and 33rd from Wheeler to Smith.

Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 7:10 p.m.

Safeco Field
24,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic around the stadium before and after the game.

Saturday, July 30

Magnolia Kids and Seafair Parade: 10:30 a.m.

Magnolia Village area
4,500 expected
Staging starts at 9 a.m. on 34th Avenue W between W Raye Street and W Barrett Street.
Parade route: Starts at 34th and Raye; moves south on 34th to W McGraw Street; east on McGraw to 32nd Avenue W; and north on 32nd to W Raye Street.

Magnolia Summer Festival: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Magnolia Playfield: W Smith Street between 32nd and 34th Avenue W, and on 33rd Avenue W between W Wheeler and W Smith Street.
3,000
Streets closed from 4 p.m. Thursday, July 28 to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 30. W Smith from 32nd to 34th avenues, and 33rd Avenue from Wheeler to Smith streets.

Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 1:10 p.m.

Safeco Field
24,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic around the stadium before and after the game.

Seafair Torchlight Run: 6:30 p.m.

Seattle Center
4,200 participants

5K route: Starts at Seattle Center; moves south on Second Avenue N to Denny Way; west on Denny to Fourth Avenue; south on Fourth to Seneca Street; west on Seneca onto the northbound lanes of the SR-99 viaduct; exit at Western Avenue; north on Western to Broad Street; east on Broad to Second Avenue; north on Second into Seattle Center.

8K route: Starts at Seattle Center; heads south on Second Avenue N to Denny Way; west on Denny to Fourth Avenue; south on Fourth to S Washington Street; west on Washington to First Avenue S; south on First to S Royal Brougham Way; west on Royal Brougham onto the northbound lanes of SR-99/Alaskan Way Viaduct; exit at Western Avenue; north on Western to Broad Street; east on Broad to Second Avenue; north on Second into Seattle Center.

Northbound SR-99/Alaskan Way Viaduct closed: From the West Seattle Bridge to the Western Avenue off-ramp from 5:30 p.m. to approximately 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Expect heavy congestion in the vicinity of the route.

***NOTE*** Southbound SR 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct closed from the Battery Street Tunnel to the West Seattle Bridge from 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 30, to 5 a.m. Monday, August 1, while the WSDOT installs a new stormwater drainage system at the south end of the viaduct.

Torchlight Parade at Seafair: 7:30 p.m.

Parade staging takes place on streets around the Seattle Center
300,000 expected
Parade route: Starts at Fourth Avenue N and Broad Street; heads south on Fourth to S Washington Street; west on Washington to Second Avenue S; south on Second to S King Street; disperses in the north lot of Qwest Field; expect heavy congestion in the Downtown area.

Sunday, July 31

Pista sa Nayon: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Seward Park
12,000 attending
Expect heavy congestion in the area.

Seattle Mariners vs. Tampa Bay Rays: 1:10 p.m.

Safeco Field
24,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic around the stadium before and after the game.