Seafair: 1st Blue Angels jet arrives in Seattle; traffic note

(UPDATE: Tuesday arrival of other Blue Angels expected around 11:15 am)

(The Museum of Flight tweeted this photo of #7’s arrival just after 8 am)
The first Blue Angels jet to arrive in Seattle got here just after 8 am, but will be back in the air this afternoon, giving rides to pre-selected “community influencers.” The other Blue Angels are due to arrive at the Museum of Flight adjacent to Boeing Field around 11 am tomorrow.

If you’re a longtime WSB’er, you know we recommend watching at least one of their Seafair takeoffs from the MoF, for an experience beyond just the airshow (here’s one of our previous reports that should explain why). But we just found out firsthand this morning about a *traffic challenge* you’ll want to be aware of if you go to MoF: Last year, after the South Park Bridge (which had been a good shortcut from West Seattle) closed, it was easy enough to take Highland Park Way to the 1st Avenue South Bridge, then the Michigan exit to East Marginal Way, turn right, drive a few miles, voila, you’re there. Right now, though, there’s a stretch of East Marginal where road work is under way, and that took it down to one lane each way this morning:

This morning, the work covered a stretch north of 14th South (the old SP Bridge turn from East Marginal), and it took quite some time to get through. We turned onto 4th, headed north to downtown, and encountered more slowdowns. We’ll work to get more specifics before the big days Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and to recommend alternative routes if needed, but in the short run, just be aware. Also on the traffic alert front, the I-90 bridge closes those days too – the specific times are here. And you can find all of this week’s airshow info on the Seafair website. (Looking for info on when you’ll see the Seafair fleet off West Seattle shores? Here’s our story from last week.)

3 Replies to "Seafair: 1st Blue Angels jet arrives in Seattle; traffic note"

  • ilopix August 2, 2011 (9:57 am)

    It’s just getting impossible to go anywhere in this town anymore! What a mess.

  • mike willard August 2, 2011 (12:25 pm)

    I can’t wait to see the Blue Angels!!!

  • booklover August 2, 2011 (7:30 pm)

    YAY for the Blue Angels…love the roar and the air show.

    It happens once a year…get over it! It is a Seattle tradition…

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