clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Seattle weekend traffic: Just one lane of I-5 and more boats

What’s blocking up traffic this weekend—and how to ride transit to it (or around it)

Albert Pego/Shutterstock

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

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.

Weekend events: The Boat Show

The Boat Show, which started last weekend, is still happening. That’s going on at Centurylink Field and at two area marinas: Bell Harbor Marina on the north end of the waterfront, and Chandler’s Cove in South Lake Union.

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.

Bell Harbor Marina is a little trickier. Most buses that go downtown can get you a few blocks away—walk down from Third Avenue at Stewart or Pine—or Westlake is the closest light rail stop. For those that can’t walk downhill easily, the 99 will get a little closer (use Lenora), but you still have to walk down from First Avenue and it only runs on weekdays.

For Chandler’s Cove, the South Lake Union Streetcar will drop off right there, plus the C Line and the 70.

Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Swan Lake opens on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and continues Saturday with showtimes at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The 2, 3, 4, 13, and 19 will all get you close to McCaw Hall.

Thursday, Queens of the Stone Age play at Key Arena. Get to Key Arena directly using King County Metro routes 1, 2, 8, 32, or RapidRide D.

Road work and bus service changes

In north Seattle between 70th and 85th, northbound I-5 will be reduced to one lane overnight from Saturday at 9 p.m. through Sunday at 7 a.m., and associated ramps will be closed. Overnight lane closures on northbound I-5 move south to between Boylston and Mercer starting Sunday night and going all week long.

Through Saturday in Northgate, the 26 and the 40 are being rerouted overnight.

On Saturday in Bellevue, buses are being routed off 10th and 108th.

Note: We put immediate and new closures in this section, but not every single planned street closure appears here. Explore all 96 active SDOT projects, many of which involve street and lane closures, here. Here are Sound Transit rider alerts; here are King County Metro rider alerts.

Sports: UW basketball

University of Washington’s men’s basketball team plays Arizona at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Alaska Airlines Arena. That’s right by Husky Stadium; Link Light Rail goes right there, plus the 44, 45, and 73.

Husky Stadium

3800 Montlake Blvd., Seattle, WA 98105

CenturyLink Field

800 Occidental Avenue South, , WA 98134 Visit Website

Bell Harbor

Pier 66 2211 Alaska Way, Seattle, Washington 98121

Alaska Airlines Arena

3910 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98105