Expect closures, detours, and no parking in Seattle this weekend

With only a month of summer left, the construction season is going out with a bang in Seattle.

Planned Seattle construction map

The Mercer Street ramps will be closed 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, when Mercer Street opens to two-way traffic. While drivers may rejoice over the opening, some bus riders who pass through South Lake Union may have some extra walking to do. Read more.

The Seattle Department of Transportation says the eastbound First Ave. S off-ramp from the Spokane Street Viaduct and eastbound Spokane surface roadway between East Marginal Way S and First Avenue S are closed around the clock for repaving.

At 85th Street in North Seattle, the northbound I-5 off-ramp and Banner Way NE overpass are closed from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday for grinding and paving.

Expect closures every night (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) on southbound SR 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge Sunday through Thursday.

To top it all off, people will be partaking in recreational activities in the city, which might cause some side street congestion and parking issues.

Seattle events:

Saturday, August 25

Seattle Marathon 10K Race:
8 a.m. – 12 Noon
Starts and finishes at Seattle Center
2,200 participants and spectators
Race route: Leaves Seattle Center heading south on Fifth Avenue; then west on Cedar Street; south on western Avenue to Marion Street; makes a u-turn and heads north on Bell Street; enters the Battery Street tunnel; goes north onto Aurora Avenue (SR99), makes another U-turn to Bell Street and heads south on Aurora at Dexter, and returns on Mercer Street to the Seattle Center.
Portions of streets along the run /walk route will be closed to vehicles from approximately 7:30 – 11 a.m.

USA Canoe Kayak Sprint National Championships:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Southwest corner if Green Lake
750 participants and spectators
Some parking lots on the south end of the lake will be closed as of 6 a.m. through the end of the event on Sunday. Expect heavier traffic than usual on streets surrounding the lake.

Big Day of Play:
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Magnuson Park
4, 400 expected
During Fun Run/Walk event, portions of the park roads will be closed to vehicles; traffic may be congested on Sand Point Way NE near the entrance to the park.

International Gem and Jewelry Show:

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center
1200 attending
Expect heavier traffic on streets adjacent to the Seattle Center.

Rainier Court Community Festival:

12 Noon – 5 p.m.
33rd Avenue S
600 attending
Streets closed approximately 11:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. : 33rd Avenue S between S Spokane Street and S Charlestown Street.

The Goddess Festival:

12 Noon – 9 p.m.
Lower Woodland Park
550 attending
Park road near picnic shelter 1-3 will be closed to traffic. Plan accordingly.

Mohai Movies in Lake Union Park:

7 – 11:55 p.m.
Lake Union Park
500 expected
Traffic may be congested on Valley Street and at the entrance to the parking lots adjacent to the park.

Sunday, August 26

Park to Park Swim:

6:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Gather at Matthews Beach
400 expected
Children’s Hospital fundraiser involves swim from Matthews Beach across Lake Washington. Traffic will be most congested on Sand Point Way NE near the beach entrance.

USA Canoe Kayak Sprint National Championships:

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Southwest corner if Green Lake
750 participants and spectators
Some parking lots on the south end of the lake will be closed as of 6 a.m. through the end of the event on Sunday. Expect heavier traffic than usual on streets surrounding the lake.

Alki Beach 5K Run:
8 – 11 a.m.
Alki Beach Park Bathhouse – start and finish lines
1,400 expected
A portion of Alki Avenue SW will be closed to vehicles during the event.

International Gem and Jewelry Show:

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Exhibition Hall, Seattle Center
1000 attending
Expect heavier traffic on streets adjacent to the Seattle Center.

Kawabe Summer Food and Festival:

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kawabe Memorial House
1,050 attending
Streets closed for event: 18th Avenue S from S Main to S Washington streets.

Holy Rosary Parish Summer Picnic:

12:30 – 3 p.m.

Rainier Avenue S at S Alaska Street
3,000 + expected
Streets closed: Rainier Avenue S between S Alaska Street and S Brandon Street.
Plan on congestion on nearby streets.

Seattle Storm vs New York:

6 – 8:30 p.m.
Key Arena
6,000 attending
Expect congestion on streets adjacent to Key Arena.