Fourth of July weekend events to cause traffic delays in Seattle

Drivers should expect traffic delays during the Fourth of July weekend and are encouraged to leave early, combine trips, carpool or take transit as large crowds hit the road to get to several major events.

July 1, 2015 4:46 pm
Washington State Department of Transportation
Washington State Department of Transportation

The following is a release from the Washington State Department of Transportation:

Drivers should expect traffic delays during the Fourth of July weekend and are encouraged to leave early, combine trips, carpool or take transit as large crowds hit the road to get to several major events.

Drivers should also plan ahead for Interstate 5 ramp closures Saturday evening, July 4, for Seafair Seattle Fourth festivities. The I-5 express lanes will have extended northbound service into the morning of Sunday, July 5.

For those heading out of town to celebrate, you can use the Washington State Department of Transportation’s traffic volume charts to help time your travel on key routes.

Special events:

Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival at Lake Union Park

  • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Friday, July 3, to Sunday, July 5

Seattle Sounders FC vs. D.C. United at CenturyLink Field

  • 8 p.m. Friday, July 3

Seafair Summer Fourth at Lake Union

  • Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 4
  • I-5 ramp closures from 9 p.m. to the completion of the event’s fireworks show:

o   Southbound I-5 off-ramp to Boylston Avenue East/East Roanoke Street

o   Boylston Avenue East/East Roanoke Street on-ramp to southbound I-5

o   Southbound I-5 exit-only lane and off-ramp to Mercer Street

In the Puget Sound area, drivers can get real-time traffic information on their phone with the WSDOT traffic app, by tracking the WSDOT traffic Twitter feed, and get advanced information from the What’s Happening Now page.