Plan Ahead: Viaduct Closure Edition

Once again it's Friday, which means folks are taking to their preferred method of transportation, seeking respite from the perpetual construction and road blockage that summer brings to the Sound.

But before you get stuck in a hot car, waiting to get onto the Viaduct, only to find out that it's closed, read up on what's happening in our area that will muck up your travels, delay your buses, and generally make your life shitty.

All Weekend

• I'm putting the "All Weekend" section first this week, because it's important. The single most headache-inducing traffic ruiner this weekend is going to be the complete closure of Southbound 99. From 11 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. Monday morning, all Southbound lanes of the Viaduct and Battery Street Tunnel will be closed. CLOSED. This will impact Metro routes 54, 55, 120 and 125.


• Also, this weekend is Hemp Fest, which means the waterfront near Pier 66 will be clogged with dreadlocked stoners and Rick Steves. This will only impact how your bus going in or out of Belltown will smell.

Saturday

• The University Bridge will be closed for construction on Saturday, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. This will make it difficult to get from Eastlake and Capitol Hill to the U. District, and the freeway is recommended. It will impact routes 49, 66, 70, 71, 72, and 73.


• Magnolia is having a car show, which will impact some traffic in the area, as well as the route 31 bus for most of the day on Saturday.


• Rainier Valley's Summer Streets and Parade is on Saturday as well, which will close area streets until about 3 p.m., and will impact the 7.


• The Seahawks will be facing off against the Vikings at Qwest (ah, sorry, CenturyLink) Field at 7 p.m. which will make traffic in SoDo even worse than it already will be, because of the Viaduct.


• Also at 7 p.m., the Seattle Storm will be playing a home game at Key Arena, so the area around the Needle and Lower Queen Anne may be a bit sticky at times.

Sunday

• Apparently, nothing is happening on Sunday, other than the closed Viaduct, so you should be fine.

Thanks, as always, to King County Metro and WSDOT for the information.

Happy travels!