WSDOT Traffic Alert – Busy Weekend ahead!

Westbound SR 520 traffic to switch over to new bridge Monday, April 11
In four days, drivers going from Bellevue to Seattle will have a chance to be one of the first to navigate across the new SR 520 floating bridge! In order to switch westbound traffic to the new bridge, contractor crews will have to close both directions of SR 520 between Montlake Boulevard East/SR 513 and 92nd Avenue Northeast from 11 p.m. Friday, April 8, to 5 a.m. Monday, April 11. Eastbound traffic will switch over to the new bridge following another full weekend closure April 22-25.

Northbound SR 99 Aurora Bridge nightly lane closures begin next week Seattle’s SR 99 Aurora Bridge is in the midst of a makeover and crews will need some extra space on the right side of the northbound lanes to move the work platform as part of their bridge painting and preservation project. Expect up to two right lanes of the northbound direction of the bridge to be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly, beginning Monday night, April 11, and continuing into the first part of May. No lane closures are allowed on Friday nights.

Gearing up for another round of the #SnoCoSqueeze Get ready for six more weekends of I-5 lane reductions between Everett and Marysville for expansion joint replacement work — this time in the northbound direction. When the weather allows crews to restripe overnight next week, northbound drivers will see three narrower lanes and a speed limit of 45 mph. The three lanes will be reduced to two lanes for five weekends beginning next weekend, April 15-18. Plan for extended delays and congestion once this northbound work begins. To avoid narrow or reduced lane traffic while you visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival – consider going this weekend. Even without daytime construction – expect high traffic volumes as you head into Mount Vernon and on Skagit County roads.

One week until full closure of SR 410 White River Bridge April 15-23
If you use SR 410 between Enumclaw and Buckley, you have one week to complete plans to navigate around a full closure of the White River Bridge. In order to repair damage the bridge suffered when it was struck by an over-height load in 2015, contractor crews will close the bridge at 10 p.m. Friday, April 15. They are scheduled to reopen the bridge by noon Saturday, April 23. During the closure, SR 410 will be closed to all but local traffic at 244th Avenue Southeast in Enumclaw and Park Avenue in Buckley. Drivers must use a detour route via SR 164, SR 18, SR 167 and SR 410 that takes approximately 45 minutes, depending on traffic. For safety reasons, there will be no pedestrian or bicycle access across the White River Bridge during the closure. Vehicles responding to emergencies will be allowed to cross at certain times.

Big events in Seattle this weekend, April 8-10
A weekend of good weather and great events in downtown Seattle is sure to cause some traffic headaches if you don’t plan ahead. We’ve got the: Emerald City Comicon going on at the Washington State Convention Center and the Mariners first home series of the season. If you’re heading into town, be aware that the I-5 express lanes HOV-only ramp to and from 5th Avenue/Columbia Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, for a Seattle DOT project. In addition, Stewart Street will be reduced to one lane near Denny Way from 7 p.m. Friday, April 8, to 6 a.m. Monday, April 11, for a Seattle City Light project. And for you ferry commuters, we’ve added extra service on our Seattle/Bremerton route Friday night.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7th – SUNDAY, APRIL 10th:
Emerald City Comicon: The comic book and pop culture convention at the Washington State Convention Center starts Thursday from 2p.m. to 7p.m. and runs through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. More than 80,000 people are expected attend throughout the weekend.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8th:
Seattle Mariners vs Oakland on Friday, April 8th at 7:10 p.m. About 46,000 people are expected to attend.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9th:
Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland on Saturday, April 9th at 6:10 p.m. About 32,000 people are expected to attend.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10th:
Walk MS/Run MS Seattle: The 5K run and 5 mile walk to support research and programs to end MS starts at the UW E1 parking lot, follows the Burke Gilman Trail to Gasworks Park and returns to the UW via N. Northlake Way and the Burke Gilman Trail.  About 4,000 people are expected to participate.

Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland, Sunday, April 10th at 1:10 p.m. About 36,000 people are expected to attend.