State road workers take break but still plenty of Labor Day slowdowns

Most statewide construction projects are taking a break this Labor Day weekend, but drivers heading into Seattle might be working overtime behind the wheel to get to their destinations due to several events that will create heavy traffic.

The Washington State Department of Transportation urges drivers to add extra time to their trips and plan ahead for increased congestion on Interstate 5. Seattle traffic is anticipated to be heaviest on Saturday, Sept. 1, with volumes building by 10 a.m., continuing into the afternoon and then tapering off in the evening hours.

Friday, Aug. 31

• PAX Prime at the Washington State Convention Center from 10 a.m. to  2 a.m. Event organizers anticipate 60,000 will attend.
• The Seattle Mariners play the Los Angeles Angels at 7:10 p.m. at Safeco Field with 20,000 expected to attend.

Saturday, Sept. 1

• Bumbershoot gates open at 10 a.m. at the Seattle Center. Event organizers expect nearly 100,000 people to attend all three days. Drivers should plan ahead for increased traffic on the Mercer Street off-ramp and familiarize themselves with the new configuration.
• PAX Prime at the Washington State Convention Center from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m.
• The Seattle Mariners play the Los Angeles Angels at 1:05 p.m. at Safeco Field, with 20,000 expected to attend.
• The University of Washington Huskies play the San Diego State University Aztecs at 7:30 p.m. at CenturyLink Field. Nearly 50,000 expected to attend.

Sunday, Sept. 2

• Bumbershoot gates open at 10 a.m. at the Seattle Center.
• PAX Prime at the Washington State Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The Seattle Mariners play the Los Angeles Angels at 1:10 p.m. at Safeco Field, with 20,000 expected to attend.

Monday, Sept. 3

• Bumbershoot gates open at 10 a.m. at the Seattle Center.
• The Seattle Mariners play the Boston Red Sox at 1:10 p.m. at Safeco Field, with 20,000 expected to attend.

Drivers who cross Lake Washington can expect fewer drawspan-opening delays on the State Route 520 bridge as the east navigational channel will be open for boats from 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5. Vessels taller than 64 feet can still request an opening of the drawspan with two hours notice.

State highways across Washington will also see heavy traffic Labor Day weekend. Before drivers pack up the car, they should check statewide travel information, which includes wait times at ferry docks and the Canadian border, as well as graphs showing the busiest travel times. In the Seattle area, drivers should stay plugged in with WSDOT’s online travel tools, such as the Seattle traffic page, the What’s Happening Now page, Twitter feed or  mobile application.

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