Know before you go: quick travel tips for a busy 4th of July weekend

If you plan to travel to a family barbecue, a sports event, or other activities this long weekend, we encourage you to plan ahead and consider travel conditions before you go. Photo credit: Tom Dahm via Unsplash.com.

This weekend is the 4th of July – often a busy time for summer travel, and also a weekend full of summer construction and events. WSDOT’s Revive I-5 work continues this weekend to replace aging expansion joints on I-5 near downtown Seattle, and we have work planned on the Spokane St Viaduct. The Mariners are also playing a home series at T-Mobile Park with games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (July 1-3) against the Oakland Athletics. And the annual Seafair Summer Fourth fireworks show is taking place again at Gas Works Park/South Lake Union on July 4.

If you plan to travel around the Seattle area, we encourage you to pack some patience, leave extra travel time, and consider riding transit if it works for your trip.

Construction snapshot

SDOT construction work

On Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3, from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, we will close the on-ramp from eastbound SW Spokane St (West Seattle Low Bridge) to the Spokane St Viaduct, as well as the eastbound lanes of the Spokane St Viaduct.
A signed detour will be in place along SW Spokane St. The closure is needed so we can continue filling potholes on the Spokane St Viaduct.
This work is weather-dependent and could be rescheduled if needed due to rain or other weather conditions.

For the latest SDOT travel information, you can follow our SDOT Traffic Twitter account @sdottraffic, or visit our Seattle Travelers web page for real time traffic camera information.

Revive I-5 (WSDOT)

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) continues its work to replace old expansion joints along I-5 in Seattle. You can read WSDOT’s blog post or visit the Revive I-5 website for the latest information. This weekend, crews plan to begin closing lanes around 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, with the lane reductions in place until around 6:30 a.m. Monday, July 4.

Heads up that this work is scheduled to continue over weekends this summer through around the end of September. You can keep up with WSDOT on Twitter at @wsdot_traffic.

Crews work on I-5 expansion joints during a recent weekend. Several construction workers crouch to work on the bridge expansion joints, in a section of the freeway closed to traffic. — Crews work on I-5 expansion joints during a recent weekend. Photo credit: WSDOT.

Mariners and Storm home games over the weekend

Several major league sports games are also taking place this weekend. The Mariners have home games at T-Mobile Park. First pitches are scheduled for Friday (July 1) at 7:10 p.m., Saturday (July 2) at 1:10 p.m., and Sunday (July 3) at 1:10 p.m. Go Mariners! And if you plan to go to the game, please consider taking transit, as the stadium is served by light rail (Station Station) and a variety of bus routes.

T-Mobile Park during a Mariners home game. Fans watch the game taking place sitting in the lower seating area, on a sunny day. — T-Mobile Park during a Mariners home game. Photo credit: Sung Shin on Unsplash.

As well, the Seattle Storm have a home game on Friday night (July 1) at 7 p.m. at the Climate Pledge Arena. Go Storm! This is another opportunity to consider riding transit, or biking, walking, or rolling if it fits your trip – or carpooling if you do need to drive and park.

The Sounders will be playing away on Saturday (July 2) in Toronto. Rooting for you from afar, Sounders!

Fireworks show at Seafair Summer Fourth

The fireworks show is back this year at Gas Works Park and South Lake Union on Monday, July 4! The Seafair Summer Fourth is a time-honored tradition and great way to enjoy the holiday. You can read more on the event website. If you plan to attend this major event, please consider riding transit, or biking, walking, or rolling, as parking will be limited and large crowds are expected. We hope you enjoy the show!

The fireworks show illuminates South Lake Union in Seattle. Colorful fireworks explode above the lake at night. — The fireworks show illuminates South Lake Union in Seattle. Photo credit: Seafair Summer Fourth.

Transit resources

Transit is a great option to get around town. You can use King County Metro’s trip planning tool or Sound Transit’s trip planning tool to enter your start and end addresses, and pick the transit route that works best for you. Google Maps also offers transit planning and biking, walking, and other trip planning options.

A person loads their bike and prepares to ride the northbound RapidRide E Line bus. The Space Needle stands tall in the background, alongside several large buildings. — A person loads their bike and prepares to ride the northbound RapidRide E Line bus. The Space Needle is visible in the background. Photo: SDOT.

Graphic highlighting mobility, which is one of SDOT's core values and goals. The graphic has the word "Mobility" in large yellow letters, with a yellow heart and text describing what mobility means to SDOT as a value and goal. — Graphic highlighting mobility, which is one of SDOT’s core values and goals. Graphic: SDOT.

Thank you and travel safe!

Thank you for your attention and consideration of how to get around this weekend during summer events and construction.

Regardless of how you travel, we encourage you to keep safety in mind every time. Please pay attention to your surroundings if you’re biking, walking, scooting, or rolling in the city, and if you’re driving, please stay distraction free so everyone can get home safe. Thanks again, everyone.

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