Seattle weekend traffic: Watch out for that Battery Street Tunnel closure

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

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.

MLK Day events

Some very civically involved youth are overwhelmingly leading Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day celebrations throughout the weekend.

This includes a few school-specific marches:

• Friday in Green Lake, students from McDonald International School will hold a police-escorted march on sidewalk from 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Friday in Columbia City, students from Orca K-8 will do the same from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Also in Friday, this time in the Central District, students will march from Giddens School to Pratt Park from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., also with a police escort.

Basically: slow down Friday morning and watch for community-involved youths celebrating MLK.

On Saturday, a youth-organized march and celebration—but not tied to a specific school—honors the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., starting at MLK Memorial Park at 11:30 a.m. and ending at Rainier Community Center at approximately noon. The 8 goes right past the park, or take the 7, 14, or 48 to get a couple of blocks away. Light rail from the Mount Baker Station is just a couple of more blocks.

On Monday—MLK day itself—another celebration starts at 8:30 a.m. at Garfield High School. A rally starts at 11 a.m., then at 12:30 p.m., participants will march down to Westlake Park. Get to Garfield High School on routes 3, 4, or 48, or get a few blocks away on the 27.

Speaking of buses, routes 10, 11, 47, and 49, will be rerouted off Pine Street, and a bus stop on Fourth Avenue at Pike Street that serves routes 252, 257, 268, 311, 545, and 554 will be closed from 1 to 4 p.m.

Road work and bus service changes

It’s the first major road closure of 2018: On Saturday morning, the Battery Street Tunnel will close in both directions this from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Drivers will be rerouted through the Western Avenue and Denny Way exits.

Sports

There are no more sports for a minute. RIP sports.