Seattle weekend traffic: Sounders, Depeche Mode, and more

Another weekend, another whole list of things that could disrupt getting around. Some of these events might be things you’re doing, too:

We’ve combed through the alerts and advisories from both the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to deliver transit-friendly solutions for your weekend outings.

Some of this weekend’s advisories—and transit-oriented alternate routes to events—are listed below.

Sports: The Seattle Sounders vs. the Colorado Rapids

The Seattle Sounders take on Colorado at Centurylink Field at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Link Light Rail goes to Centurylink (take your pick of the International District or Stadium stations), as does the First Hill Streetcar and a ton of bus routes from Metro, Community Transit, and Sound Transit.

Bonus transit option for those living to the far north or far south: The Sounder train will be making its last special Sounders FC trip of the season.

Other events: Fundraisers, concerts, walks, and runs

On Saturday, KEXP is putting on a concert and fundraiser called R Day at the Old Rainier Brewery from 5 to 11 p.m. In addition to music, this event features an inflatable obstacle course. Metro route 124 goes right to the front door, or take Link Light Rail to the Sodo station and walk a few blocks. Those totally set on driving can pay to park at the Safeco parking garage and hop on a shuttle.

Also on Saturday, Depeche Mode plays Key Arena at 7:30 p.m. Get to Key Arena directly using King County Metro routes 1, 2, 8, 32, or RapidRide D.

Walks and runs

Saturday, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk to support breast cancer research through the American Cancer Society starts at 9 a.m. at Centurylink Field. The transit directions are going to be the same as for the Sounders game—minus the Sounder train.

Also Saturday but in the evening, the Light the Night Walk supports the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It starts at 6:15 at Seattle Center, running up 5th Avenue North to Mercer Street, then following Mercer Street to Dexter Avenue North and back to the Center—on sidewalks, so there aren’t any street closures.

There are a myriad of ways to get to the Seattle Center. Follow the directions for Key Arena above, take the 3 or the 4 to the other end of the center, or take the Monorail from Westlake Center.

Sunday, the Alaska Airlines Dawg Dash 5K and 10K runs on the University of Washington campus and on some streets in Ravenna, with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. It starts by Kane Hall; the 43, 44, 48, 49, and 70 will get you closest, with the 45, 71, and 73 just a couple of extra blocks away—or it’s a 15-minute walk from the Husky Stadium light rail station.

Road work

WSDOT notes that because the weather is terrible, road work is actually pretty light this weekend. But there’s a couple of things to watch out for.

Thursday night, the left two lanes northbound Interstate 5 between the University Street onramp and the Mercer Street offramp—and those ramps—will be closed

The Interstate 90 ramps to and from Bellevue Way will be closed for Sound Transit work from 5:30 a.m. Saturday until 9 p.m. Sunday, which WSDOT notes can cause backups on I-90 and 405.

Down by Southcenter, northbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes between the I-405 and the Duwamish River Bridge from 8 p.m. on Friday through early Monday morning, although that work is weather-permitting.

The Argo Bridge—the bridge on Fourth Avenue South near Costco—is in the middle of a super-long lane closure that could last up to a year. That only affects the northbound right vehicle lane.

• Weekly travel planner [WSDOT]
• Seattle Area Construction Lookahead [SDOT]