Obama's visit, Fremont Octoberfest, football, and road closures - weekend traffic could be challenging
Thu, 09/22/2011
The coming weekend of Friday, September 23, through Sunday, September 25, is packed with fall activities, special events, and weekend road closures.
There will be construction impacting many areas, particularly I- 405 which will be closed all weekend northbound in Bellevue, between NE 8th Street and SR 520, and could push extra northbound traffic over to the I-5 corridor.
The Seattle Department of Transportation encourages event-goers to consider reducing the stress and environmental impact of driving their cars and try 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, September 23
Seattle Symphony Friday Matinee Concert: 12 noon
Benaroya Hall
325 attending
Approximately 10 school buses will drop off students on streets around Benaroya Hall; expect congestion in the area.
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.
Fremont Oktoberfest: 5 p.m. – 12 midnight
N Canal Street and N 35th Street, between Phinney Avenue N and First Avenue NW
4,500 attending
Streets closed 6 a.m. on Thursday, September 22 through 10 p.m. on Sunday, September 25.
Bite of Broadview: 4 -10 p.m.
Christ the King Catholic Church (405 N 117th Street)
2,000 attending
Expect congestion on the surrounding streets.
Microsoft Annual Meeting: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Safeco Field
18,000 - 20,000 attending
200 buses and 4,000 private vehicles expected to begin arriving at 8:30 a.m. and departing between 3:30 and 5 p.m.
Expect heavy congestion in the morning and afternoon.
Saturday, September 24
Moving Planet: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
A climate solutions rally at South Lake Union Park;
5,000 attending
Expect congestion in the area.
Seattle AIDS Walk and 5K Run: 10 a.m.
Starts and finishes in Volunteer Park;
5,000 participating
Walk and Run route: leaves Volunteer Park at 12th Avenue E and E Prospect Street; heads south on 12th to E Union Street; then moves west on Union to Broadway Avenue E; north on Broadway to Tenth Avenue E; north on Tenth to E Prospect Street; east on Prospect to 12th Avenue E and back into the park.
Fremont Oktoberfest: 11 a.m. - 12 midnight
N Canal Street and N 35th Street, between Phinney Avenue N and First Avenue NW
9,500 attending
Streets closed 6 a.m. on Thursday, September 22 through 10 p.m. on Sunday, September 25.
Bite of Broadview: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Christ the King Catholic Church (405 N 117th Street)
2,000 expected
Streets closed during event hours on Saturday only: N 117th Street between Dayton Avenue N and Phinney Avenue N.
South Park Car Show: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
375 participating and attending
Streets closed from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: 16th Avenue S between S Sullivan Street and S Cloverdale Street Expect congestion in the area.
University of Washington Huskies vs. California Golden Bears: 12:30 p.m. – 4 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.
Sunday, September 25
President Obama visits Seattle - Metropolitan area
Rolling closures on area freeways/roadways to accommodate motorcade.
Expect possibly heavy traffic resulting from brief closures.
Fremont Oktoberfest: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
N Canal Street and N 35th Street, between Phinney Avenue N and First Avenue NW
2,000 attending
Streets closed 6 a.m. on Thursday, September 22 through 10 p.m. on Sunday, September 25.
Fremont Oktoberfest 5K and Street Scramble: 10 a.m.
Assembles at 34th Avenue N and Fremont Avenue N
1,100 participating
Run route: Leaves 34th Avenue N and Fremont Avenue N; heads east on 34th to N Pacific Street; then moves east on Pacific to NE 40th Street; makes a u-turn onto the Burke-Gilman Trail; goes south on the trail and finishes at Phinney Avenue N.
Bite of Broadview: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Christ the King Catholic Church (405 N 117th Street)
2,000 attending
Expect some congestion in the area.
Sustainable Ballard Fall Festival: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ballard Commons Park (NW 56th and 22nd NW)
2,000 attending
Streets closed from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.: 22nd Avenue NW and NW 57th Street, adjacent to the
Expect congestion in the area.
Seattle Seahawks vs. the Arizona Cardinals: 1:15 p.m. – 4 p.m.
CenturyLink Field
70,000 attending
Expect heavy congestion on I-5, I-90, and SR 99/the Alaskan Way Viaduct, as well as the surrounding SODO area before and after the game.