traf-fic /’trafik/ (Beep-Beep!)
If you take anything away from all the hip-hoppin’ fun and work going on in and around our uber-cool city, know that the Alaskan Way Viaduct (AWV) will close this weekend for the Washington Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) twice-year annual inspection. Both directions of State Route 99 (SR 99) will close between South Spokane Street and the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel. You can follow WSDOT’s Twitter for updates and travel alerts. More on this…keep on cruisin’???.
Still working? ✔ ?
Safe for everyday use? ✔
Every March and October, engineers inspect the bridge to make sure the roadway is safe for you, Seattle, so we’re hoping you can understand.
You know what this means? You’ll want to navigate around this because there might be…
T R A F F I C ?
Good news though! If inspection work finishes early, you guessed it – AWV will reopen early! Just another reason why you should follow WSDOT on Twitter. Don’t forget, we have a pretty awesome SDOT and SDOT Traffic Twitter channels (and Facebook and Instagram) – a quarter mill followers if we don’t say so ourselves!
We ♥️ you, Seattle!
WSDOT has a great resource for checking current traffic (psst, they have some 150 webcams capturing the action) and real-time travel times so you can plan ahead. They also have a traveler’s map all on their app!
You should definitely use their app if you’re not already.
Foodie Alert!
Get those taste buds ready because Taste Washington (our region’s largest wine and food event) is happening this week from Thursday, March 22, to Sunday, March 25 at CenturyLink Field Event Center from 2-5:30 PM. There’s gonna be about 10k people expected so be sure you check your traffic apps before heading out!
Want more advisories you say?
SDOT Construction:
Next 2 Weeks | Convention Center Construction – Howell St between 9th Avenue and Boren is down to one lane during daytime hours.
Next 2 Weeks | Construction projects on Thomas, John, and Harrison Streets daytime closures – For travelers in SLU, Republican St. is the best East-West option this week and next.
Events:
March 24 | March For Our Lives march starts at 11 AM with a rally starting at 10 AM at Cal Anderson Park. The march will travel along 4th Avenue to Seattle Center. We encourage alternative modes of transportation to get to/from the event. In a recent Lyft Blog, they announced partnering with March For Our Lives organizers, offering FREE rides for attendees in any one of the 50 participating cities. Visit their blog for details and discount code.
If you are attending a March for Our Lives event in one of the 50 cities identified below, we want to help you get there with a free Lyft ride. We’ve partnered with the March For Our Lives organizers to ensure that our commitment of up to $1.5 million in free rides will have the most impact on their efforts — and yours. – Lyft
Don’t get mad – Download an app!
Okay, so that didn’t really rhyme but maybe for a second, you thought it did? In the digital age we live in, the traffic navigation resources we have are plentiful.
Google Maps
It’s a staff fav! Try Google Maps for real-time GPS navigation, ETAs and traffic conditions, transit, and details about millions of places, such as reviews and popular times. We dig the real-time transit options. Just add where you want to go and the transit options populate – it even tells you what bus to take and where! Thanks, Google Maps!
Happiest of Hours!
If you just want to wait it out for after peak hours, The Stranger has a nice comprehensive guide to Seattle’s happiest hours for those who want upscale, gamers’ gatherings, craft cocktails, oyster specials, and to geek out on beer talk to name a few. We want you to have fun but also get to where you’re going safely. Bring on the happiest of hours, …safely!
If you need one, grab a cab, rideshare, ride transit, or buddy up with a DD. #VisionZero
More on Metro’s late-night Night Owl Bus service schedule and on-demand rides.