Police warn of major traffic gridlock in Seattle for Seahawks game

While Seattle drivers are no strangers to gridlock, police are still warning of significant traffic before and after the Seahawks’ home opener Thursday night.

Kickoff for the Green Bay game is at 5:30 p.m., but thousands will show up early for the Soundgarden, Pharrell Williams free concert in the north parking lot at CenturyLink Field. The show starts at 4:30 p.m., but doors open at 2:30 p.m. First come, first serve seating. All CenturyLink Field gates also open at 2:30 p.m.

If that’s not enough, there’s NFL Gameday Village located in Pioneer Square. Thursday’s party starts at 10 a.m. and runs through 5:15 p.m.

Seattle police recommend giving yourself an extra hour if you’re coming into or leaving the downtown area both before and after gameday festivities.

KIRO Radio Traffic Reporter Kimi Kline said, yes, traffic will be rough and fans should leave for the stadium as early as possible.

“I think it’s going to be an early commute and it’s going to be really busy by about 2 p.m.,” Kline said.

Like Seattle police, she said public transportation is a good way to get around: take the bus, Link light rail, or carpool. Kline added that the special Sounder train that runs for Mariners game will not be available for the Seahawks game.

There are several streets that will be closed around CenturyLink Field, so check the closure map before you head that way.

The area of Second Ave. and S. King St. is expected to be busy as that’s the entrance for the concert.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to use the I-90 express lanes to cross Lake Washington. Those lanes will run westbound until 3 p.m.

Express lanes on I-5 will operate on their normal weekday schedule: southbound until 11 a.m. and switching to northbound by 11:15 a.m. until 11 p.m.

WSDOT expects heaviest travel times on area highways will be from 1-6 p.m.

There will be an extra sailing on the Seattle to Bremerton ferry route – at 11:30 p.m. Passengers are encouraged to buy tickets online or at the kiosks.

Besides busy streets, Seattle police said cell networks may also become taxed by so many fans texting, sending photos, and tweeting around game time. SPD suggests keeping it short to keep the network running smoothly.

Also, be courteous. You won’t know if a Green Bay Packers fan is actually an undercover officer or security official.

Go Hawks! And go traffic!