Weekend Traffic: The Viaduct Closure is Probably Not Going to Cause an Apocalypse
Every week, I do this traffic round-up to help you stay in the know about what's going on around the Sound. And now, this week, everyone else is stepping on my toes, making huge waves about the 9-day closure of the viaduct. Offering "survival guides" and "ways to cope." Downtown hotels are even offering discounts for people who just want to stay downtown for those 9 days. It's getting absurd.
Here's are some ways to cope: TAKE A BUS. RIDE YOUR BIKE. Or try a water taxi, for the love of Pete. This really doesn't have to be the disaster people are making it out to be, if everyone is just smart and doesn't try to drive on a viaduct that isn't open.
Yes, the viaduct will be closed, beginning at 7:30 tonight. Yes, there will be a lot of people who somehow think that it doesn't apply to them and they will be getting stuck in traffic. Don't be one of them. Take an alternate route, or better yet, and alternate form of transit. You don't have to be part of the problem.
And besides, WSDOT has anticipated the awfulness of this closure, which means there's really not much else going on this weekend, aside from few events at or around the stadiums which may cause additional headaches. Otherwise, very little construction is planned, so the the rest of the area should be smooth sailing.
Tomorrow
- WSU will be playing Oregon State in a game that pertains to almost no one in the Seattle area at CenturyLink at 7:30, which will turn SoDo into kind of a mess. Be advised.
Sunday
- Portishead will be at the WaMu Theatre, near the stadiums, so traffic in that area might be kind of clogged before and after the concert, which is slated to start at 7:30 and end around 11:30.
