Weekend citywide traffic alerts: SDOT’s weekly roundup

If the reports we received are any indication, more than a few people are still stuck in this morning’s outbound-commute traffic, with bridge feeders like Avalon and Fauntleroy backed up more than usual, too. We’re checking with SDOT on whether anything in particular is to blame. In the meantime, here’s their weekly roundup of big events citywide that might affect traffic **this weekend** – read on:

This weekend, September 9-11, features many events to be enjoyed outside in Seattle’s wonderful late summer weather. The list of choices for sports fans includes Husky football, Mariners baseball, Sounders soccer and the Iron Girl 5K and 10K Walk and Run. There are also plenty of options for lovers of food, entertainment, and arts with Nihonmachi Nites, Chamber of Commerce celebrations at Northgate and in Ballard, and the NEPO 5K Don’t Run.

There will be multiple events throughout the day on Sunday between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m.at the Seattle Center in remembrance of the ten-year anniversary of 9-11.

The Seattle Department of Transportation encourages event-goers to consider reducing their impact on the environment by leaving 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.

In addition to traffic congestion associated with the weekend events, motorists should also keep in mind that as part of the Mercer Corridor – East Phase construction, the I-5 Mercer Street on- and off – ramp will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday night until 5 a.m. Monday morning.

Friday, September 9

Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury: 7 p.m.
Key Arena
5,000 + attending
Expect congestion on streets surrounding the Seattle Center.

UW Husky Band Friday Night Rally: 8:45 – 10 p.m.
Streets just north of the campus
UW Husky Marching Band will march from campus north on 21st Avenue NE, west on NE 47th, south on 17th Ave NE and back to campus. Streets along the route will be closed to vehicles during the rally. Seattle Police will escort.

Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals: 7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
14,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic around stadium before and after the game.

Saturday, September 10

Northgate Chamber Festival: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Northgate Mall SE parking area adjacent to NE 103rd Street and 5th Avenue NE, Thorton Place plaza, and on NE 103rd Street
3,000 expected
Streets closed from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: NE 103rd Street between Fifth Avenue NE and Third Avenue NE.

University of Washington Huskies vs. Hawaii: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Husky Stadium
70,000 attending
Expect extra heavy traffic on SR 520, I-5, and streets surrounding the stadium. Seattle Police will have the usual game day lane revisions in place before and after the game on arterials near the stadium.

Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake: 1 – 3:30 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
36,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic in the surrounding area before and after the match.

Nihonmachi Nites: 6 – 11 p.m.
International District
230 attending
S Main Street closed from 4 p.m. – 12 midnight from Sixth Avenue S to Maynard Avenue S.

Ballard Urban Picnic: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Ballard Commons Park and surrounding streets
3,000 expected
Streets closed from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.: 22nd Avenue NW from NW 57th Street to NW 58th Street, and NW 57th Street from 22nd Avenue NW to 24th Avenue NW.

NEPO 5K Don’t Run (Art Walk): 2 p.m. – 12 midnight
Art show and walk; event starts in Occidental Park at 2 p.m.
500 attending
Art walk will follow sidewalks in Pioneer Square and the International District to Beacon Hill, ending at NEPO House (1723 S. Lander Street);
Streets closed from 1 – 11:59 p.m.: S Lander Street from Beacon Avenue S to 18th Avenue S.

Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals: 7:10 – 10 p.m.
Safeco Field
21,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic around stadium before and after the game.

Sunday, September 11

Ten-Year Anniversary Remembrance of 9-11 – Multiple Events: 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Seattle Center
Traffic could be quite heavy on streets surrounding the Seattle Center .

Iron Girl 5K and 10K Run/Walk: 8 a.m.
Green Lake Park, and on streets adjacent to the Park
2,500 participants
Race moves clockwise around Green Lake, partly on street, partly on park trails.

Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals: 1:10 – 4 p.m.
Safeco Field
19,000 attending
Expect heavy traffic around stadium before and after the game.

Seattle Storm vs. Chicago Sky: 6 p.m.
Key Arena
5,000 + attending
Expect congestion on streets surrounding the Seattle Center.

West Seattle’s 9/11 10th-anniversary events, by the way, are listed here.

11 Replies to "Weekend citywide traffic alerts: SDOT's weekly roundup"

  • D September 8, 2011 (9:39 am)

    Why did they remove the left turn lane from Andover onto Delridge, near All Star Fitness?

  • Karl September 8, 2011 (10:09 am)

    More than the usual Port trucks idled on the roads today.

  • Julia September 8, 2011 (11:31 am)

    The commute was atrocious this morning. I left my house at 9. Both upper and lower bridges were STOPPED at Delridge so I doubled back to 509 at Cloverdale which was backed up with a ton of school buses and trucks. By the time I finally got onto the viaduct at about 9:45, the W. Seattle bridge was still bumper to bumper. All in all a 70 minute commute to South Lake Union. FUN!

  • D September 8, 2011 (11:51 am)

    Yes, that’s what I referring to, WSB. I’ve just avoided it during rush hour until today, when it backed traffic almost up to Avalon. I never heard why it was done back then, and it seems even more ridiculous now.

  • WSFoodie September 8, 2011 (12:42 pm)

    This morning was the worst commute I’ve seen out of West Seattle in a long time. I bailed out around 8:30 and decided to return home. I tried again at 10am and it still took me 35 minutes to get from the Junction to I-5. I still never figured out what the cause was.

  • Matt September 8, 2011 (1:01 pm)

    Wanted to add Ke$ha/LMFAO concert at the WaMu Theater to your list of Saturday events. Doors are at 6:30pm, so add another 4k people to the Safeco surrounding area that evening everyone.

    • WSB September 8, 2011 (1:08 pm)

      SDOT compiled the list – you’d think they would have known about that! Thanks! – TR

  • Diane September 8, 2011 (1:30 pm)

    also via my recessmonkey email:
    ~
    Saturday, September 10, 11am Northgate Festival; Who said summer was over!? End the season in style with tons of kid-driven activities, a classic car show and US! Recess Monkey rocks at 11am- let’s celebrate school by dancing!!! Corner of 5th Ave and 103rd Street in Northgate, adjacent to the Northgate Mall
    ~
    Saturday, September 10, 2pm Salmon Return Family Festival at the Olympic Sculpture Park; Recess Monkey finally rocks the Olympic Sculpture Park! Tons of fun art activities for kids, art tours, dancing and three Seattle Elementary School teachers called “Recess Monkey” getting DOWN on stage! Dance with us!!
    2901 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
    ~
    and via spl email:
    Saturday, September 10, 2 – 3:30pm Microsoft Auditorium, Central Library; Meet Our New City Librarian Marcellus Turner! The Seattle Public Library is excited to welcome new City Librarian Marcellus Turner, whose distinguished career includes more than 20 years as a leader in public libraries. Meet him in person at our open house!

  • Andrew Harms September 8, 2011 (4:01 pm)

    The shut-down of the ports this morning (unexpected strike) certainly didn’t help. All incoming trucks were forced to either stay put or turn around

    http://www.kirotv.com/news/29118571/detail.html

  • rw September 8, 2011 (5:12 pm)

    After ab. 30 minutes of inching along I heard there was a bad motorcycle accident that blocked I90 eastbound by Rainier ….. which caused major slowdowns on I5 northbound approaching 90 ….. which jammed the Spokane St. Viaduct ….. which ……. well, you all know the rest of the story. The only thing missing was the icy roadways.

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