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Travel tips for August 14-27: construction, sports, and community events as summer flies by

by on August 14, 2024
Three friends scooting near Pike Place Market on a sunny day. Photo credit: SDOT

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At-a-glance:

SDOT construction, street closures, and travel impacts

Please note: Our construction projects take place throughout Seattle. To stay informed about projects near you, subscribe to our email updates. You can select from a list of projects and subscribe to the ones you’re most interested in. Thank you.

  • South Spokane Street Viaduct Deck Rehabilitation
    • Repaving of the South Spokane Street Viaduct requires a series of weeknight and weekend lane closures. Some of these include a full closure of all eastbound lanes, as well as a weekend-long closure of all westbound lanes.
    • Read our recent blog post or visit the project web page for more information.
  • N 130th St Vision Zero Safety Corridor
    • On Saturday, Aug. 24 to Sunday, Aug. 25, we will pave N 130th St between Corliss Ave N & 1st Ave NE. Working hours are 7 AM – 5 PM.
    • One travel lane in each direction will remain open during work and no impacts to sidewalks are expected.
    • Corliss Ave N and Sunnyside Ave N will be closed at N 130th St during this work.
  • 2024 Slurry Seal Project
    • As soon as Monday, August 19, we will begin ‘slurry seal’ work in an area of Northeast Seattle. You can find a map here.
    • This is a cost-effective method to renew the street surface and seal minor cracks and other irregularities. This preventive maintenance protects the pavement and stops moisture from getting into cracks in the pavement and causing damage.
    • No parking signs will go up 3 days prior to work taking place and cars will need to be moved.
    • During and after slurry seal work on each block, people will not be able to drive, park, or walk on the new street surface for up to 8 hours. Cars parked on the street where no parking signs are placed will be towed. 
    • Learn more on our website.
  • 11th Ave NE & 12th Ave NE Paving & Safety Project
    • We are paving 11th and 12th Aves NE between NE 47th St and NE 67th St until early September.
    • One travel lane remains open at all times.
    • Parking is restricted 24/7 on both sides of the street during paving work.
  • Temporary street closures in Pioneer Square (Waterfront Seattle Program)
    • Pedestrian access will be maintained with occasional detours in place for the following:
      • In preparation for intersection paving, S Main and S Washington streets between Alaskan Way S and 1st Ave S will be closed to vehicle traffic from Thursday, August 15 through Sunday, August 18.
      • Access to Firehouse Alley will be maintained. People driving can enter and exit the alley at Yesler Way and S Jackson St.
    • Full closure of the intersections on 1st Ave S at S Main and S Washington streets on Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18 as Waterfront Seattle repaves the intersections. Vehicle access on 1st Ave S, S Main, and S Washington streets will be restored by 6 AM on Monday morning, August 19.
      • People driving on 1st Ave S will detour via Yesler Way and S Jackson St.
      • Sidewalks on both sides of 1st Ave S, S Main and S Washington streets are planned to remain open for pedestrian access, with at least one east/west crossing maintained at both S Main and Washington streets.

Regional transportation agency work

King County Metro (in partnership with SDOT)

  • South Lake Union Streetcar Temporary Closure
    • South Lake Union Streetcar service is currently suspended for several weeks while King County Metro crews address mechanical issues with the two substations that power the streetcar due to an unplanned outage. We are working with Metro to repair the issue as quickly as possible. Click here for more information.
    • During the closure, transit riders can use the following bus routes connecting South Lake Union and Downtown Seattle:

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

WSDOT is continuing its work on several projects affecting major highways in and around Seattle. Below is a summary of the closures with the largest travel impacts. Visit WSDOT’s website for the latest information and resources to stay informed. Please note: this work is weather-dependent.

I-5 area work:

  • Northbound I-5 mainline lanes | There will be 3 left lanes closed nightly between University St and Mercer S from Monday, August 19 through Friday, August 23, from 10 PM to 4 AM for pole replacement part of the I-5 – NB Seneca to SR 520 – Mobility Improvements project.
    • This closure includes the University Street on-ramp to northbound I-5 each night (closes at 9 PM).
  • Southbound I-5 mainline and express lanes off-ramps to Mercer Street (Exit 167) | Closed from 10 PM Friday, August 16 through 5 AM Monday, August 19, and again from 10 PM Friday, August 23 through 5 AM Monday, August 26 for median barrier installation along both off-ramps as part of the SR 520 I-5 Express Lanes Connection Project.
  • Southbound I-5 in South Seattle | Up to 3 lanes of southbound I-5 at mid-Boeing Field will close for expansion joint repairs from 10 PM Friday, August 23 through 5 AM Monday, August 26.This is for the I-5 Duwamish River to South Lucile Street Concrete Rehabilitation Project.
  • I-5 between Corson Ave and SR 599/Interurban Ave interchange | Lane reductions on both directions of I-5 in this area between just north of the Corson Ave interchange and the SR 599/Interurban Ave interchange.
  • I-5 express lanes | The I-5 express lanes will close early at 9 PM weeknights Monday, August 12 through Thursday, August 15 to accommodate construction work in the lanes.

SR 520/Montlake Blvd area work:

  • Lane reductions along eastbound SR 520 | Up to 2 left lanes along eastbound SR 520 on the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge between Seattle and Medina will be closed for bridge deck sealing work. From 9 PM to 5 AM weeknights Monday, August 19 through Friday, August 30. This is part of the SR 520 – Floating Bridge and Approaches Bridge Decks and Soffit Sealer project.
  • Montlake Blvd and nearby ramp closures | From 10 PM Friday, August 16 through 6 AM Monday, August 19, Montlake Blvd will close in both directions between E Louisa St and E Hamlin St (over SR 520). E Roanoke St between E Louisa St and E Montlake Pl and Lake Washington Blvd between Montlake Blvd and E Foster Island Rd will be local access only. All associated ramps to and from SR 520 at Montlake Blvd will also be closed. There will be a signed detour for bicyclists and pedestrians. For more details, visit the SR 520 Construction Corner website.
  • Full SR 520 closure between Seattle and the Eastside | SR 520 will fully close in both directions between I-5 and the Eastside from 11 PM on Friday, August 23, to 5 AM on Monday, August 26. Crews will pave and install utilities and under lid lighting. For more details, visit the SR 520 Construction Corner website.

I-90 area work:

  • Westbound I-90 between Mercer Island and Seattle | The two left lanes on westbound I-90 between Island Crest Way on Mercer Island and Rainier Ave S in Seattle will be closed for routine tunnel maintenance. From 10 PM Friday, August 16 through 6 AM Saturday, August 17. This includes the HOV-only Island Crest Way on-ramp to westbound I-90.

Major league sports home games

Seattle Mariners

Upcoming games at T-Mobile Park

  • Friday, Aug. 23 at 7:10 PM: San Francisco Giants
  • Saturday, Aug. 24 at 1:10 PM: San Francisco Giants
  • Sunday, Aug. 25 at 1:10 PM: San Francisco Giants
  • Monday, Aug. 26 at 6:40 PM: Tampa Bay Rays
  • Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 6:40 PM: Tampa Bay Rays

To learn more:

If you’re riding the Link light rail, get off at the Stadium Station and walk a short two blocks over to the ballpark. If taking rideshare, there is a designated rideshare lot southeast of the stadium. If driving, the Mariners Garage opens 3 hours before first pitch. Biking, scooting, walking, or rolling to the game may also be great options, depending on your trip specifics. Find more information on navigating to T-Mobile Park here.

Seattle Storm

Upcoming games at Climate Pledge Arena

  • Monday, Aug. 26 at 7:00 PM: Washington Mystics

To learn more:

For all major ticketed events at Climate Pledge Arena, guests receive a free public transit pass alongside their ticket. If driving to the arena, there are three parking garages available nearby. Find more information on navigating to the arena here.

Seattle Sounders FC

  • No upcoming games at Lumen Field in this timeframe.

Seattle Reign FC

Upcoming games at Lumen Field

  • Sunday, Aug. 25 at 7:00 PM:  North Carolina Courage

To learn more:

If you’re riding the Link light rail, get off at the International District/Chinatown station and walk three blocks over to the field. For rideshare, get off on the north side by S King St & Occidental Ave S or on the south side by S Royal Brougham Way & Occidental Ave S. If driving, the Lumen Field Parking Garage is located south of the stadium and a North Lot is also nearby. Both open at 6 AM on event days and close 2 hours post-event. Biking, scooting, walking, or rolling to the game may also be great options, depending on your trip specifics. Find more information on navigating to Lumen Field here.

Community Celebrations

August 17: Puppy Crawl at Bell Street Park – Belltown

Blurred background focused on a brown dog whose body is facing right but their face looks directly front/at the camera. Its owner holds a black retractable leash in light brown pants and the bottom fourth of their light gray shirt. In the blurred background you see some kids playing walking on the sidewalks, a man standing holding his bike up, and the green trees/hills.
A dog and its human enjoy a walk on a clear day in Seattle. Photo credit: SDOT

Take a Saturday stroll with your furry friend. This event provides treats and goodies for your pup along the way. This is the last Puppy Crawl scheduled for this summer. Read here for more information on the Puppy Crawl.

The Puppy Crawl at Bell Street Park can be reached by King County Metro bus. Or, give your dog an extra stroll opportunity by walking, biking, or rolling to the event.

August 23: WABA Korea Expo & Festival – Magnuson Park Hangar

Man in red, black outfit, red and black hat, and some gold attire and white form fitting shoes dances on the floor. His body is 45 degrees from the floor holding himself up with his right arm. Onlookers in the background watch behind a neon string barrier A large cruise ship in the background along with the Korean flag and female musicians in pastel pink and light blue flowy dresses playing Korean traditional drums.
Korean traditional dance and music performance at Waterfront Park pier at the 2023 WABA Korea Expo & Festival. Photo credit: WABA

The Korean American Chamber of Commerce is hosting a day packed with a variety of local and global businesses. Attendees can expect over 80 booths displaying Korean food, culture, beauty products, merchandise, and performances. Read here for more information on the WABA Korea Expo & Festival.

WABA Korea Expo & Festival can be reached by King County Metro bus. Or, depending on your trip, walking, biking, or rolling might be great ways for you to get to the Magnuson Park Hangar.

Aug 25: Ballard Bites and Brews – Ballard

Crowd of people enjoying a sunny afternoon having lunch with friends. People seated under a wood patio on the right as people walking on the sidewalks on the left. Some outdoor cafe seating against the wall of restaurants on the left. Sidewalk trees provide shade with their canopy.
Families and friends along the Ballard Café Street enjoying a meal in outdoor seating. Photo credit: Jordan Samson

Indulge in bites from local restaurants and drinks from the Ballard Brewery District all accompanied by an evening of live music. This 21+ festival helps raise funds for the Ballard Food Bank and provides the community an opportunity to get together and celebrate summer. Read here for more information about the Ballard Bites & Brew event.

Ballard Bites and Brews can be reached by King County Metro. Walking, biking, or rolling, are also great ways to get to the event.

Visit our SDOT Team at these community events

  • Big Day of Play | Saturday, August 17, 12-5 PM | Rainier Playfields (3700 S Alaska St,  Seattle, WA 98118, Google Maps Link) 
  • Rainier Beach Back2School Bash | Saturday, August 24, 12-4 PM | Be’er Sheva Park (8650 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, Google Maps Link) 

More community events

We hope this post provided you with valuable information on upcoming construction and community events. Stay tuned for more updates and tips like this throughout the summer. Thank you!

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