Emerald City Comicon fans feel slighted by WSDOT’s road closures

Emerald City Comicon fans are asking “what about us?” after the state scheduled two weekend road closures to conveniently avoid large crowds in Seattle.

A second I-90 bridge closure is scheduled this weekend, the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be shut down as well, and Sound Transit’s light rail service will not be serving downtown.

Related: Weekend closures on Hwy 99, I-90 expected to cause traffic nightmare

The road closures are something the Washington State Department of Transportation touted as well-timed earlier this week.

“With no major events this weekend, it’s the perfect time to bundle up these needed roadway closures,” said WSDOT Traffic Engineer Mark Bandy in a news release. “Even so, we still expect traffic will be heavy. Drivers can help keep traffic moving by carpooling, taking transit or delaying discretionary trips.”

At the same time, two Seattle events that will draw more than 80,000 people are being held this weekend.

WSDOT spokesperson Travis Phelps said that they look at more than just sheer attendance. They also consider the timing of events. While thousands of Comicon fans are expected downtown, they’ll be trickling in over days versus hours.

He said WSDOT would absolutely look at Comicon differently if 80,000 people were descending on the Convention Center at once.

WSDOT has since removed the quote from its website.

Taste Washington, an annual wine event, and Emerald City Comicon, an annual comic convention, are scheduled through the weekend. Comicon is a sold-out event.

“We’re expecting 80,000 people at our convention and that’s average attendance at [a Seattle sports event],” said Comicon spokesman Todd Jones. Ticket sales jumped by 10,000 since last year.

Comicon is Friday through Sunday in the Washington State Convention Center on 8th Avenue. Guests such as Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee, for example, are scheduled to attend; Lee is scheduled for all three days.

The announcement of the road closures has some convention-goers asking why?

“Ummm, a sold out Comic-con featuring Stan Lee isn’t a major event?,” Jeff Shelhamer wrote on MyNorthwest’s Facebook page.

Shawn Marier commented on MyNorthwest that Comicon draws more people than sports.

“I’m sorry, [Comicon] pulls in more people into downtown Seattle than any sports event or concert held in Seattle,” he wrote.

Taste Washington, which boasts itself as “the nation’s largest single-region wine and food event,” is Thursday through Sunday. The grand tasting is held at the CenturyLink Field Event Center, the Red & White Party is at Aqua by ElGaucho; and The New Vintage and seminars will be at the Four Seasons on 1st Avenue.

All westbound lanes of the I-90 bridge will be closed Friday night through early Monday.

The northern part of Link light rail will be closed for system upgrades Saturday and Sunday, according to Sound Transit. The closure is to prepare for extending service to Capitol Hill and the University of Washington in 2016. Operation between Sea-Tac/Airport Station and Mount Baker Station will continue. A free shuttle will take riders from Mount Baker through the downtown tunnel. The shuttle will not serve Beacon Hill or SODO stations.