Seattle weekend traffic and transit: Mariners and Sakura-Con

Another weekend, another whole list of things that could disrupt getting around. Some of these events might be things you’re doing, too—it’s Sakura-Con and opening weekend for the Mariners, which are all happening at the same time as a Sounders game and an Odesza concert. No matter what you’re doing, it’s probably best to plan for delays and a crowded bus or train.

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: Mariners opening weekend, plus the Sounders

It’s that day many of you have been waiting for: MLB Opening Night is Thursday, and the Mariners are playing Cleveland all weekend long. That starts with an Opening Night game at 7:10 p.m. on Thursday, and continues Saturday and Sunday with games at 1:10 p.m.

Link Light Rail is free with your game ticket (take your pick of the International District or Stadium stations). You can also take the First Hill Streetcar or one of a ton of bus routes from Metro, Community Transit, and Sound Transit. For those coming from the ‘burbs to the north and south, Sounder train is making special trips for Sunday’s game, too.

Saturday is going to be a busy day around the stadium district: Sounders FC plays Montreal Impact at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Transit directions are the same for Centurylink as Safeco, but without the special Sounder trips (this time) or free light rail fare.

Weekend events: Sakura-Con and Odesza

Anime, manga, gaming, and Asian culture convention Sakura-Con returns to Seattle this weekend, starting Friday and running through Sunday, at the Washington State Convention Center downtown. Multiple buses run through the Convention Station, including Metro routes 41 74, 101, 102, 150, and 255, plus Sound Transit 550. Outside the tunnel, westbound 7, 10, 43, 47, 49, and 150 take you a block away. (If you want to get away from the action for a second, most of these comic book stores are transit-accessible, too.)

Seattle electronic music duo Odesza is playing two shows this weekend at Wamu Theater: one Friday night at 8 p.m., one Saturday night at 8 p.m. That is right by the stadiums, increasing the cluster that’s going to be Saturday night in Sodo. Transit directions are going to be the same—see the sports section above.

Road work and bus service changes

Events and construction are bringing a few small reroutes to Metro buses this weekend:

• Because of opening weekend, Metro routes 21, 116, 118, and 119 are being rerouted off First Avenue between Holgate and Edgar Martinez after the games.
• Thursday and Friday during the day, the northbound route 65 is being rerouted off 145th between 17th and 20th.
• Thursday night through Friday morning, the 148 and the 169 will be rerouted off a couple of Renton stops.

Saturday and Sunday, First Avenue South will be closed in both directions between Yesler and Jackson for utility work, adding to a whole host of stuff happening in the area on Saturday (and more reason to use transit).

Late Friday night through early Monday morning, Fairview Avenue North will be closed between Republican and Harrison for removal of a construction crane.

Note: We put immediate and new closures in this section, but not every single planned street closure appears here. Explore all 100 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.